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THE GIRL SCOUTS SERIES 


The Girl Scouts in 
Beechwood Forest 


BOOKS BY MARGARET VANDERCOOK 

THE RANCH GIRLS SERIES 
The Ranch Girls at Rainbow Lodge 
The Ranch Girls* Pot of Gold 
The Ranch Girls at Boarding School 
The Ranch Girls in Europe 
The Ranch Girls at Home Again 
The Ranch Girls and their Great "Adventure 
The Ranch Girls and their Heart’s Desire 
The Ranch Girls and the Silver Arrow 

THE RED CROSS SERIES 
The Red Cross Girls in the British Trenches 
The Red Cross Girls on the French Firing Line 
The Red Cross Girls in Belgium 
The Red Cross Girls with the Russian Army 
The Red Cross Girls with the Italian Army 
The Red Cross Girls under the Stars and Stripes 
The Red Cross Girls Afloat with the Flag 
The Red Cross Girls with Pershing to Victory 
The Red Cross Girls with the U. S. Marines 
The Red Cross Girls in the National Capital 

STORIES ABOUT CAMP FIRE GIRLS 
The Camp Fire Girls at Sunrise Hill 
The Camp Fire Girls Amid the Snows 
The Camp Fire Girls in the Outside World 
The Camp Fire Girls across the Sea 
The Camp Fire Girls’ Careers 
The Camp Fire Girls in After Years 
The Camp Fire Girls on the Edge of the Desert 
The Camp Fire Girls at the End of the Trail 
The Camp Fire Girls Behind the Lines 
The Camp Fire Girls on the Field of Honor 
The Camp Fire Girls in Glorious France 
The Camp Fire Girls in Merrie England 
The Camp Fire Girls at Half Moon Lake 

THE GIRL SCOUTS SERIES 
The Girl Scouts of "the Eagle’s Wing 
The Girl Scouts in Beechwood Forest 
The Girl Scouts of the Roimd Table 








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She Arranged Two Such Smoke Columns 

I 


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4 


THE GIRL SCOUTS SERIES 


The Girl Scouts in 
Beechwood Forest 

By 

MARGARET yANDERCOOK 

Author of *‘The Ranch Girls Series/^ 

“The Red Cross Girls Series,” “Stories 
About Camp Fire Girls,” etc. 


fUustrate^ 


THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY 

PuBUSHERS Philadelphia 





Copyright, 1921, by 
THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY 

MADE IN U. S. A. 


MAY 23 1922 

0)C!.A661779 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER PAGE 

I. Flame 7 

11. Looking Backward. 19 

III. Their Camp 29 

IV. Right About, Face 37 

V. A Discussion 47 

VI. '^The Choros’’ 62 

VII. Other Girls 72 

VIII. Light and Shade 85 

IX. The Odyssey 97 

X. Consultations and Decisions 108 

XI. Out of the Past 125 

XII Retrospection 135 

XIII. A Portrait 142 

XIV. Disagreements 149 

XV. The Choice 159 

XVI. The Greek Spirit 169 

XVII. A Classic Revival * 176 

XVIII. The Passing 191 

XIX. Letters 204 

XX. Looking Forward 211 

XXI. Kara’s Departure 215 


(V) 



CHAPTER I 


FLAME 

T he flame ascended, ending in a little 
spiral of smoke curling upward in the 
night air. 

Overhead the stars shone, the pine trees 
formed dark shadows. 

Within the radius of the firelight a girl 
leaned forward, her eyes fastened upon a 
drawing she held in her lap. One could see 
only vague outlines. The light danced over 
the figure of the girl, her bright, reddish-gold 
hair, cut short and held in place with an 
amber comb, her slender shoulders, the uncon- 
sciously graceful poise of her body. 

She turned to glance anxiously at another 
figure lying outstretched upon the ground 
only a few feet away. 

This girl appeared to be sleeping. Her eyes 
were closed and she was breathing fitfully. 
Suddenly she opened her eyes and smiled. 
^^Tory Drew, aren’t you ever going to 
sleep?” she demanded. ^^Is it your intention 
to sit up all night and keep guard over me? 

( 7 ) 


8 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


I told you that I was not suffering in the 
least. My fall seems not to have injured me, 
only for some strange reason has made it 
difficult for me to walk. We have been 
longing to spend a night out of doors alone 
ever since we arrived at our camp in Beech- 
wood Forest. This is an unexpected oppor- 
tunity, yet you do not look grateful. Small 
wonder if you are never going to sleep! 
What time do you think it is?’^ 

Victoria Drew leaned closer toward the 
fire and looked at her wrist watch. 

^^It is half-past twelve o^clock, Kara. The 
witching hour over and I have seen no wood- 
land spirits come to haunt us, and no human 
beings. I am afraid my signals have failed 
to attract attention. The other girls at camp 
must have decided to give us up for lost and 
await our return in the morning; I am sorry 
for your sake. Are you sure you are not 
uncomfortable? 

Tory arose and bent over her companion, 
not so convinced that the entire absence from 
pain, which Kara insisted upon, was absolute 
proof that she was not seriously hurt. 

In the firehght the other girTs face appeared 
white and unreal. To any one so impres- 
sionable as Tory the past few hours bore a 
semblance of unreality. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


9 


Early in the morning of the previous day 
she and Katherine Moore had set out from 
their camp in Beechwood Forest to spend the 
day alone among the hills. For some time 
they had been planning this excursion when 
the duties and amusements of camp life made 
a break possible. How differently from their 
plan and expectation this day had gone! 

As Kara was beginning to fall asleep again 
Tory need no longer conceal her anxiety. 

By the fire, now freshly piled with pine 
cones and branches, she sat down and prop- 
ping her chin in her hands, gazed deep into 
the burning embers. 

The night was very still, save for a light 
wind in the tree tops. 

On the ground beside her, with a stone 
keeping them from blowing away, lay the 
result of her day’s work. She had sketched 
all morning while Kara wandered about or 
else rested and read. 

Before daylight they had wakened in their 
Girl Scout Camp in Beechwood Forest. By 
dawn, with their luncheon packed and her 
sketching outfit, they had set out to explore 
the heart of the hills, a purple rim bordering 
the far side of their own camping site. 

During the previous winter in the small 


10 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Connecticut village Tory faithfully had ful- 
filled her promise to her artist father. She 
had made no attempt to go on with her 
drawing and painting, devoting all her time 
and energy to her school, her new home and 
her Girl Scout Troop. 

With summer had come the release from 
her promise. 

These days of camping in the woods with 
the other Girl Scouts recalled the enchanting 
months outdoors she had spent with her 
father. Every green tree outlined against 
the summer sky, their canoes on the lake 
before the camping grounds, the Girl Scouts 
at work or at play, all were pictures Tory 
longed to transfer to line and color. 

Until to-day the business of getting settled 
at their summer camp had left scant oppor- 
tunity for artistic effort outside the camping 
arrangements. 

Tory picked up the pile of sketches on the 
ground beside her. She studied each one 
carefully and then tossed it into the fire. 

Her present work was valueless; she had 
become so hopelessly out of practice. 

Finally her eyes rested on a single sheet of 
drawing paper. On the instant her expres- 
sion altered. This sketch was not without 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


11 


worth. She had drawn it with pastels and 
in the light from the camp fire. The lines 
were crude and the colors too vivid, but it 
showed the figure of a girl lying on the ground, 
her eyelids closed, her figure expressing a 
curious quiet. 

The lower part of the body was covered. 

At present Tory Drew was without the 
khaki coat which she had worn earlier in the 
day. Beside the figure the smoke and flame 
of the camp fire formed fight and shadow. 

Tory sighed. 

''At least this will serve for our camp log! 
The other girls can see how Kara looked dur- 
ing this interminable night. She will be able 
to write the account of her fall. I remember 
that I was diligently at work upon an im- 
possible drawing of a fine of hills when I 
heard the noise of a landslide. There was a 
sound of earth and rocks being torn from 
their foundation and tumbling and sliding 
down an embankment. I scarcely looked up. 
Kara had disappeared for a walk, so there 
was no one to whom I might mention the 
fact. Certainly I had no thought of asso- 
ciating the noise with her.’’ 

Again Tory arose. This time she moved 
farther from the fire, walking restlessly up 


12 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


and down toward the clearing which opened 
into a dark forest of evergreens. 

The night was a mild summer night. 
There was in the atmosphere the coolness 
of the wooded places surrounding them. 

Her fire signals had not been observed on 
either side of the hill. Tory^s impression 
was that their camp of ^^The Eaglets Wing^' 
lay to the west of the hill, although by no 
means immediately below it. On the eastern 
slope and nearer by was the Boy Scout camp. 
This camp the girls of her own Troop had 
been deliberately ignoring. 

At present Tory reahzed that she would 
gladly accept aid from either or any direction. 

Had Kara been well and awake, or if they 
had been able to dream beside one another, 
the long night would have proved a delightful 
experience. 

From the depth of the woods an owl was 
crying. Tory repressed a slight shudder, 
controlling her nerves by an effort. The 
sound recalled the vague moaning that first 
aroused her to any knowledge of Kara’s 
accident. Once more she could see Kara 
lying at the bottom of a tiny precipice. Her 
face was covered with rocks and earth, but 
there was no sign that she had fallen any dis- 
tance or been seriously hurt. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


13 


Now in retrospection Tory could see Kara 
smiling up at her in the old humorous fashion. 
She could hear her voice with the gentle 
drawl that had attracted her so strongly at 
their original meeting. 

'^Most extraordinary thing, Tory darling. 
I slid off that small embankment a short 
time ago, bringing most of it along with me. 
I was considerably bumped and I presume 
bruised, but not hurt. However, I decided 
to lie still here for a while until I recovered 
my nerves and disposition. Then I tried to 
climb back to you for consolation and found 
that my legs would crumple under me in the 
most absurd fashion. So I fell to making 
disagreeable noises so you would come and 
find me. What are we going to do, Tory? 
I can^t walk and I weigh too much for you 
to carry.’^ 

Yet she must have carried her, or else Kara 
must have been able to walk a little! Some- 
how they had managed to reach this clearing 
nearer the summit of the hill. Here a fire 
signal could be more plainly observed. 

Six hours had passed. Not for five minutes 
had Tory allowed the fire signal to die down. 
No one had replied either by another signal 
or by coming to their rescue. 


14 THE GIRL SCOUTS 

Fortunately Kara slept the greater part of 
the time. Now that the night was fully 
advanced she would be more comfortable 
where she was than carried down the moun- 
tainside, where there was no well defined 
path. One had to seek the easiest way between 
the trees. 

For her own part Tory concluded that she 
might as well attempt to sleep for as long as 
her fire could be trusted to continue burning. 

The pine wood was filled with brush and 
the night so bright she could find without 
difficulty what she was seeking. 

Returning, Tory smothered over the fire 
so that it might burn for some time without 
replenishing. She then lay down beside Kara. 

Toward morning she must have dreamed. 
She woke with the impression that a number 
of years had passed, or what seemed a long 
passage of time, and in the interval she and 
Kara had been searching the world over for 
each other and unable to meet. 

Glad she was to reach over and touch her 
companion, who scarcely had stirred. 

Already the sky was streaked with light, 
palest rose and blue. 

Strengthened and refreshed, Tory set to 
work again. The summer morning was 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


15 


exquisite, the odor of the pine trees never 
so fragrant, nor the air so delicious. 

Faihng in her signals for help the evening 
before, she now determined to make a more 
strenuous effort. Intending to return to 
camp before dusk, she and Kara had neglected 
to bring a flashlight or a lantern which might 
have proved more effective. 

With the coming of darkness she had not 
relied on solid columns of black smoke being 
seen at any distance. Now on a farther ridge 
of the hill she arranged two such smoke 
columns, remembering that two steady smokes 
side by side mean am lost, come and 
help me.’^ 

If she failed a second time, she determined 
to go down the hill until she was able to 
secure aid. But this meant leaving Kara 
alone, which even for a short time she did 
not wish to do. 

The waiting was the difficult task. To her 
own embarrassment Tory realized that she 
was thinking more of her own hunger than 
of Karats need as the minutes wore on and 
no one arrived. Fortunately she had saved 
a small quantity of coffee in their thermos 
bottle the day before. This must be for Kara 
when she finally awakened. 


16 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


There was nothing to occupy one save to 
rise now and then and stir the hot ashes to 
a fresh blaze, covering them afterwards with 
the green wood of the small beeches that 
straggled up the hill away from the shadow 
of the pines. 

The noise of footsteps up the mountainside 
actually failed to arouse Tory until they were 
not far away. 

She first heard an exclamation from Kara. 
She had not been so sound asleep for the 
past hour as she had preferred to pretend. 

Kara sat up, her arms outstretched as if 
she were a child begging to be lifted up. 

Tory started toward her. She then turned 
and ran forward with a cry of rehef. Had 
Fate allowed her to choose her own and Karats 
rescuers she would have selected the two 
figures now appearing at the brow of the 
east side of the hill. They wore the uniforms 
of Boy Scouts and were the brothers of one 
of the girls in her own Patrol. They were also 
her own intimate friends. 

‘^Don, Lance! Tory exclaimed, a little 
breathless and incoherent. '^How in the 
world did you find this impossible place? 
Kara and I have been fearing we might have 
to stay here always!^’ 

Don Beld out his hand and caught Tory^s, 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


17 


giving it a reassuring pressure. He was a 
big, blue-eyed fellow with fair hair and a 
splendid physique. 

In contrast Victoria Drew appeared small 
and fragile and incapable. 

Lance McClain was entirely unlike his 
brother in appearance. He was dark and 
small. He went directly to the girl who 
seemed most to require his help. 

As she struggled to rise at his approach 
and was not able, Lance knelt down on the 
grass beside her, while Kara explained what 
had occurred. 

Never, Tory Drew decided, would she for- 
get the aspect of their own camp in Beech- 
wood Forest, when an hour or more later she, 
in the lead, caught the first glimpse of it. It 
was as if one had struggled through one of the 
circles of Purgatory to reach Paradise at last. 

Actually a few lines from Dante that her 
father had recited many times returned to 
Tory^s memory: 

‘^My senses down, when the true path I left; 

But when a mountain foot I reached, where closed 

The valley that had pierced my heart with dread, 

I looked aloft and saw his shoulders broad 

Already vested with that planet^s beam, 

Who leads all wanderers safe through every way.” 


18 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


The way had been diflBcult with Kara 
helpless. 

With their arms forming a kind of basket 
chair and Karats arms about their necks, 
Donald and Lance had moved slowly down 
the hillside. 

Once Tory became aware that Lance looked 
almost as ill and exhausted as Kara herself. 

Don’s color continued as ruddy, his eyes 
as blue and serene and his expression as 
steadfast as the moment when they had set 
out on the descent of the hill. To caU atten- 
tion to the fact that Lance was less able to 
endure the fatigue, Tory knew from past 
experience would anger him. 

Curious that no one in their own camp 
appeared to have been alarmed by their 
night’s absence! 

The morning bugle must have sounded 
more than an hour before. The early drill 
was over. 

By the open fire Tory now beheld Dorothy 
McClain and Louise Miller preparing break- 
fast. 

Placing her hands to her lips she uttered 
their Scout signal call. 


CHAPTER II 


LOOKING BACKWARD 

FEW minutes later Donald and Lance 



McClain were standing in the open 


^ space before the Girl Scout camp. 
They were facing a number of the girls and 
their Scout Captain, Sheila Mason, as well. 

Slightly in the background and yet within 
hearing, Victoria Drew waited. 

Kara was lying on the cot inside her own 
tent. Tory’s friends had suggested that she 
follow Kara’s example and allow breakfast 
to be brought to her. Surely she looked 
weary enough after a night of such anxiety! 

Tory had her own reasons for declining. 
Now as she overheard the beginning of the 
conversation she was glad of her own decision. 

^'We are sorry to have intruded upon you 
even for a short time. Miss Mason,” Donald 
McClain protested. ^‘We know that you 
have asked that no member of our Scout 
camp come within your boundaries this sum- 
mer. Of course you appreciate that the 
present circumstances left Lance and me no 


20 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


choice. Last night Lance insisted that he 
saw the light from a fire on one of the hills 
which he believed was a signal for help. The 
rest of us talked him out of the idea. The 
fire was plain enough, but we were under the 
impression that some one was spending the 
night on the hill-top and had kindled the 
fire either for cooking or companionship. 
Lance is an obstinate chap and was not 
altogether convinced. He arose at dawn and 
discovered the two smoke columns. He 
wakened no one but me. We set out and 
were lucky enough to find Tory and Kara 
without much trouble. We must say good-by 
to you at once. The other fellows will not 
know what has become of us, as we canT 
reach our own camp for another two hours.” 

Impulsively Tory Drew made a little for- 
ward movement. She then observed Lance’s 
eyes fastened upon her with the half-humor- 
ous, half-quizzical expression she frequently 
found annoying. What was there in the 
present moment to amuse him, save her own 
intention to come immediately to Donald’s 
defense? He so rarely made a speech to any 
stranger so long as this one to the Girl Scout 
Troop Captain. When the four of them 
were together, she and Dorothy McClain, 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


21 


Lance and Don, Lance often accused her of 
talking for Don. 

At this instant, however, Sheila Mason 
extended her hand toward Donald with a 
friendly gesture. 

We have been anxious for the opportunity 
to explain to you and Lance that in asking 
the Boy Scouts not to pay visits to our camp 
this summer, we did not intend to include 
you. We have talked of this to your sister, 
but Dorothy has had no opportunity, she 
tells me, to speak of it to you. We realize 
you could not have taken part in the rude 
behavior of the other boys the night follow- 
ing our making camp here at the border of 
the forest.’’ 

Sheila Mason, the Troop Captain of the 
Girl Scouts of the Eagle’s Wing, was only 
about ten years older than the youngest 
member of her Troop. 

In the early morning sunhght she looked 
charming in her brown khaki skirt and white 
blouse. Her long, light hair was braided close 
about her small head, her fair skin tanned by 
the outdoor life of the past few weeks, and 
color brighter than at any time in her life. 

It was now midsummer, with days of 
unusual heat and nights of enchanting cool- 
ness. 


22 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


There was no trace of severity in the Troop 
Captain’s manner or appearance, but Donald 
McClain flushed uncomfortably and closed 
his lips into the obstinate lines Tory so well 
recognized. 

She wished Dorothy for a moment would 
be less faithful to her task of preparing 
breakfast. Mingling with the other outdoor 
fragrances, the odor of the coffee gave Tory 
a sensation of momentary faintness from 
sheer hunger. 

Don had squared his shoulders. Not six- 
teen, he was nearly six feet in height and 
splendidly built. 

'^You are mistaken. Miss Mason. I was 
with the other Boy Scouts the night we came 
over to your camp. We meant to frighten you 
a little and to find out a few of the mistakes 
you were pretty sure to make on your first 
camping venture, nothing worse! We had 
no idea you’d take a little teasing so seriously. 
Some of us may not have behaved as well as 
we should, but nothing for the girls to have 
made a tragedy over.” 

Donald was not intending to offend the Girl 
Scout Captain more deeply, but tact was not 
his strong point. 

Why did Lance fail to come to his brother’s 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 23 

rescue? Tory flashed an indignant glance at 
him. He possessed, when he wished, the 
gift of expression his brother lacked. Lance’s 
occasional moods of silence were due either 
to disappointment or anger. 

Arriving a stranger in Westhaven the winter 
before, among Victoria Drew’s first acquaint- 
ances were Dorothy McClain and her six 
brothers. Their father was the leading physi- 
cian in Westhaven and an old friend of her 
aunt and uncle. They were neighbors as well. 

In the beginning Tory had believed she 
preferred Lance to any of the other boys. 
He was Dorothy’s favorite among her brothers, 
a delicate, musical chap, partly admired and 
partly scorned by the five who were stronger 
and more matter of fact. 

Lance’s passion for music, ^of which he 
knew but little, his desire to be left alone, his 
failure in most athletic sports, the rest of his 
family found annoying and amusing. 

Lance McClain alone was like his mother 
who had died some years before, the others 
like Dr. McClain. 

Lance, why in the world don’t you help 
Don out? You know he will only make 
things worse if left to himself.” Tory whis- 
pered at this moment. 


^4 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


^^Want to save Don at my expense? All 
right, Tory,’^ he answered quizzically in the 
voice and manner Tory never really under- 
stood. 

Lance moved forward and now stood close 
beside Miss Mason. 

His golden-brown eyes and his sensitive 
mouth relieved his face from plainness, al- 
though he was considered the least good 
looking liiember of his family. 

At present he was smihng in a charming 
fashion. 

^^See here. Miss Mason,’’ he began speak- 
ing slowly, don’t suppose you can imagine 
what a difficult thing it is to have a brother 
who is always putting you in the wrong? Oh, 
not intentionally, but by everlastingly doing 
the right thing and then trying to take the 
blame for your mistakes! 

^^Don did not want us to come to your 
camp and make a scene. He is our Patrol 
leader and we should have done what he 
advised. Only we wouldn’t and didn’t! 
He came along at last more to keep the rest 
of us out of mischief than because he wanted 
to be in it.” 

Lance drew his brows together so they 
became a fine line. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


25 


‘‘Wonder if IVe got to make a clean breast 
of the whole business? Don is everlastingly 
forcing me to play up to him when I would 
not otherwise. The suggestion that we hike 
over to the girls’ camp and see what was 
going on originated with me. Don and I had 
been telling Dorothy you would never get 
things in shape over here without help from 
us, or men in the village. Your Girl Scout 
Troop has been claiming that you could 
accomplish all the things we do and a few 
other things beside. We did not believe you 
and wished to see for ourselves. I was sorry 
and mad as Don when some of the fellows 
went too far. We had a call-down from our 
Captain and have been looking for a chance 
to apologize. Do try and forget it, won’t you? 
If your Girl Scouts will swoop down on us 
unexpectedly and be double the nuisance 
that we were, we are willing to call it square.” 

Sheila Mason laughed. Margaret Hale, 
the Patrol leader and one of Victoria Drew’s 
intimate friends, who had joined the group 
during Lance’s speech, shook her head. She 
was a tall, serious looking girl with clear-cut 
features and a graceful manner. 

“Lance, I don’t believe a Boy Scout Troop 
is supposed to employ a lawyer. You strike 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


me as a special pleader. You had better go 
in for the law instead of music. We are not 
so cranky that we would have objected to an 
ordinary descent upon us, even with the idea 
of showing us what inferior creatures we are. 
But when it comes to trying to frighten us, and 
some of the more timid girls were frightened, 
you behaved as if you were wild Indians,’^ 

Lance held up a white handkerchief. 

^^This is a token of complete surrender. 
We ask the courtesy due the defeated. Miss 
Mason. Please don’t allow Margaret to rake 
up the past. Don and I must be off now to 
camp. Sorry you won’t give us a message 
of forgiveness to carry back. May we speak 
to Dorothy? Evidently she is more inter- 
ested in her breakfast than in her brothers.” 

'^Nonsense, Lance, you and Don must have 
breakfast with us before you leave,” Miss 
Mason answered. ^ ‘ I cannot bury the hatchet, 
Indian fashion, because the Girl Scouts must 
decide themselves whether or not you are 
forgiven.” 

Approaching in their direction at this 
moment, her face flushed and holding a long 
toasting fork in one hand, was Dorothy 
McClain. 

She was only a year and a few months 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


27 


younger than her two brothers and looked 
very like Don, save that her hair was chestnut 
and her eyes a darker blue. 

'^Don, Lance, how glad I am you had the 
good luck to come to Tory’s and Kara’s aid! 
I have made a double amount of toast and 
there are six more eggs added to our usual 
supply for breakfast. I thought you would 
appreciate this sisterly attention more than 
rushing to greet you at once. I saw you 
were not lonely.” 

''Good to see you. Dot. You are looking 
in great shape, only we must be off at once,” 
Donald answered, still appearing uncom- 
fortable and obstinate. 

Between Dorothy and Tory Drew a signal 
was flashed of which no one of the small group 
save Lance McClain was aware. 

"Please stay, Don,” Tory begged, moving 
forward and standing beside him. She scarcely 
came up to his shoulder. "Edith Linder has 
gone to Miss Frean’s cottage to ask her to 
come to Kara at once. She is to try to tele- 
phone for your father. If not, one of us 
must ride in to town for him. But perhaps 
he might want you to be here when he 
arrives in case there is anything to be done, 
if Kara has to be lifted. Oh, I don’t know 


28 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


anything, except that I am dreadfully worried 
over her/’ 

Don softened. 

^^Oh, of course if there is any chance Lance 
or I can be of further use we’U be glad to 
stay. You ought to go to bed, Tory, and not 
wait for father.” 

Tory shook her head. Her face was whiter 
than usual from anxiety and fatigue, yet 
Donald McClain liked her appearance. 

His brothers and other people might insist 
there were several girls in the Girl Scout 
Troop of the Eagle’s Wing far prettier than 
Victoria Drew — Teresa Peterson, with her ' 
half Italian beauty, his own sister, Dorothy, 
Joan Peters, with her regular features and 
patrician air. Don knew that Tory possessed 
a charm and vividness, a quickness of thought 
and a grace of movement more attractive to 
him than ordinary beauty. 

Forgetting their companions, they walked 
off together, leaving the others to follow. 

^^If you only knew how I have been longing 
to show you our camp in Beechwood Forest, 
Don! Please say you think it is wonderful,” 
Tory pleaded. 


CHAPTER III 


THEIR CAMP 

T hey were seated along the edge of the 
lake, six girls and their two visitors. 
The water was a still, dim blue 
reflection of the sky with one deep shadow 
from the hill of pines. Away from the hill 
and the lake stood the forest of beechwood 
trees. 

In an open space on a httle rise of ground 
half within, half without the forest, lay the 
summer camp of the Girl Scouts of the Eagle’s 
Wing. 

A little brown house built of logs was almost 
entirely covered with vines, a tangle of wood- 
bine and honeysuckle and wistaria. Only 
from the windows and the door had the vines 
been cut away. The house looked extremely 
ancient, older than the slender beeches that 
formed a semicircle to the rear and left. 
Beyond the door, thick with deep green shade 
on this midsummer morning, towered a single 
giant beech which appeared to have moved 

( 29 ) 


30 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


out a few yards from its forest shelter to act 
as a sentinel for the log cabin. 

The cabin had been erected so many years 
before that no one in the vicinity remembered 
its origin. Finding the location an ideal one 
for their camp, the little house had been 
restored, the chimney to the single fireplace 
made over, the glass added to the window 
frames, open spaces between the logs replas- 
tered. 

The log house formed the center of the 
camp. 

On each side at irregular distances were 
three tents, one row advancing from the forest, 
the other receding into it. 

To-day there was an unusual stillness about 
the camp itself at an hour of the morning 
ordinarily a busy and active one. 

Now and then some one appeared, hastily 
accomplished whatever the task and vanished. 

Even the little group on the shore of the 
lake continued unusually quiet. When any 
one did speak it was with a lowered voice. 

Five of the six girls were occupied. Only 
Tory Drew^s hands were idle. They moved 
frequently with unconscious gestures char- 
acteristic of her temperament and the fact 
that she had lived a number of years in the 


m BEECHWOOD FOREST 


31 


Latin countries where the hands are used to 
communicate one’s meaning as well as speech. 

She made a sweeping movement of her 
hand at this instant, appearing to include the 
lake, forest, hillside and the small group of 
tents about the evergreen cabin. 

^^You have not yet said, Don, that you 
consider our camp superior to yours, when 
I am perfectly convinced that it is, without 
having laid eyes on yours. Lance has given 
me the impression that he agrees with me. 
He has not exactly said so in any words I 
can recall, but he can be tactful when he 
likes. You are always so tiresomely silent, 
Don, whether you think a thing true or not 
true. I always know when you are most 
silent your opinion is the strongest one way 
or the other.” 

Don was silent. Yet he knew the group of 
girls were awaiting his reply with almost as 
great interest as Tory. 

Finally he smiled in a handsome, good- 
humored fashion. 

Don’t see why you should object to my 
not talking a great deal, Tory, when it gives 
you and Dorothy and Lance more oppor- 
tunity.” 

He turned around, however, studying the 


32 


THE GIEL SCOUTS 


little camp in the shadow of the old forest with 
careful scrutiny. Donald McClain did not 
think quickly nor could he express his point 
of view until he had given a subject serious 
consideration. 

don^t see any comparison between your 
Girl Scout camp and our own, Tory,’’ he 
returned at length. ^^The two camps are 
not in the least alike. In the first place, you 
tell me that you have only fourteen Girl 
Scouts and we have nearly forty boys. Of 
course things look neater and more pictur- 
esque here, with girls one expects this. Our 
problem is different. I have an idea we have 
more discipline and do more hard work.” 

Tory Drew looked annoyed. 

Dorothy McClain took up the defense. 

am not so sure of the work and the dis- 
ciphne, Don. We do everything at our camp, 
the cooking, washing and cleaning. We have 
been pretending that we were members of 
Penelope’s household. If you have never 
read the ‘ Odyssey’ you won’t know what I am 
talking about. Joan Peters we sometimes 
call Penelope. She is everlastingly at her 
weaving, but does not unravel her web at 
night that she has woven in the daytime. 
She is not troubled by Penelope’s importunate 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 33 

suitors. Tory at present is the Princess 
Nausicaa, the daughter of the King Alcinous, 
who conducts the family washing as a part 
of her work. I wonT bore you with all our 
distinguished titles. 

^^As for discipline! I donT mean to be rude 
and I am glad you did not wish your Troop 
of Scouts to descend upon us Uke a band of 
Indians on a group of pioneer women. Still> 
I would scarcely be proud of such discipline.’^ 

^^See here, Dorothy, what is the use? You 
know you are reflecting upon me, not upon 
old Don. But with my well-known amiability 
I forgive you. Whose idea was it that you 
pretend to be Greek heroines as well as Ameri- 
can Girl Scouts? ” Lance inquired in the tone 
that nearly always brought peace. 

“Oh, we have not gone into the idea 
seriously,” Joan Peters returned. Her head 
was bent over the square frame she held in 
her lap, her fingers busy with the strands of 
flax. “Miss Frean comes to camp every 
few evenings and reads aloud to us. She 
insists that we are too frivolous in our own 
summer reading and wishes to read us some- 
thing we ought to remember.” 

Joan Peters liked Lance McClain. She was 
a great reader and perhaps because of his 

3 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


B4 

more delicate health Lance did not feel the 
same scorn of books that Donald affected. 

With a swift movement Tory arose sud- 
denly. Apparently she forgot the group of 
friends close about her. She clasped her 
hands tightly together, her eyes suddenly 
looked larger and darker, her lips twitched. 

The Girl Scouts of the Eagle's Wing had 
chosen silver and gold as their camp colors. 

Near the spot where Tory was standing lay 
two canoes. One was golden in color with 
an eagle's wing in silver on the bow, the other 
the opposite color scheme. Tory's own khaki 
costume looked golden in the sunlight. The 
water was now silver. 

Don had a fleeting impression that Tory 
intended to jump into one of the canoes and 
disappear from sight. 

Now and then she affected him curiously. 
He never knew what she intended to do or say. 
She thought so quickly, moved so swiftly, 
and he was stupid and slow. 

At the present moment he was puzzled and 
troubled by her sudden look of intense 
unhappiness. The instant before she had 
been arguing the respective merits of the 
two camps and had appeared cheerful as usual. 

‘^What is the matter, Tory? You are the 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


35 


most startling person! You upset one,” 
Teresa Peterson protested. 

She glanced toward Donald and then 
toward Lance McClain for their attention or 
approval. 

Teresa was unlike the other Girl Scouts. 
She was extremely pretty with dusky hair 
that curled about a low forehead and soft 
rose colored cheeks. She gave one an impres- 
sion of sweetness and yet one could not be 
sure of her actual character. She seemed 
always anxious for attention and the approval 
of other people. Several of the girls in her 
Patrol felt that Teresa was unnecessarily 
self-conscious before a mascuhne audience. 

At this instant Tory Drew returned her 
glance. Her face showed bewilderment. 

^^Why, Teresa, how can you ask what is 
troubling me? Is one of us thinking any 
other thought? Of course we have had to 
talk of other things, but nothing matters 
except what Dr. McClain may at this moment 
be deciding about Kara. You know we all 
care for her more than any other girl at camp. 
She has had so much more to contend with 
than the rest of us even before this. 

^^She thought first of our camp in Beech- 
wood Forest and we used to talk of it when 


36 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


it did not seem a possibility. The day of her 
accident Kara told me the past few weeks 
had been the happiest of her life.” 

Tory walked away from the others. 

“I have been trying to keep my word and 
stay here with you until after Dr. McClain 
had seen Kara. Now I cannot wait any 
longer. I am sure something more dreadful 
than any of us realize has happened.” 

Margaret Hale rose and slipped her arm 
inside the other girFs. 

^^We will go back together. You are more 
nervous over Kara than need be because of 
the strain of last night.” 

They moved on a few yards. 

Coming out of the cabin they could see 
Dr. McClain, Miss Frean and Sheila Mason. 
Dr. McClain, assisted by the two women, was 
bearing Kara in his arms. 

Before Margaret and Tory reached them, 
he had placed Kara in his motor car and they 
were driving away. 


CHAPTER IV 


RIGHT ABOUT, FACE 

T ory ' toiled up the long, hot street, 
her arms filled with packages, her 
face flushed. 

How different the atmosphere from the 
cool green shade of Beech wood Forest! 

At the end of the street upon a rise of 
ground stood the Old Gray House. This had 
been Katherine Moore’s name for the house, 
accepted and used by the town of Westhaven. 
To-day it appeared what it actually was: 
the village orphan asylum. 

No longer could Kara’s optimism conceal 
reality from Victoria Drew. 

The house showed blistered and bare of 
paint. The open space of yard, green and 
fresh in the springtime, when she and Kara 
oftentimes sat outdoors to dream and plan, 
was now baked brown and sere. 

The children playing in the yard behind the 
tall iron fence looked tired and cross, a little 
like prisoners to Tory’s present state of mind. 
She had come in from camp early in the 

( 37 ) 


S8 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


day and had spent several hours at home with 
her uncle, Mr. Richard Fenton. Their own 
house was empty save for his presence. Miss 
Victoria had gone for a month’s holiday to 
the sea. 

After a talk with her uncle and an hour’s 
shopping, she was now on her way to call 
upon Kara. 

She saw a mental picture of Kara’s small 
room on the top floor of the Gray House. 
How proud Kara had been because she need 
share her room with no one! 

And what a place to be shut up in when one 
was ill! 

For Kara’s sake Tory had endeavored to 
view this room with Kara’s eyes. Kara loved 
it and the old Gray House that had sheltered 
her since babyhood, her refuge when appar- 
ently deserted by the parents she had never 
known. 

Victoria Drew was an artist. This did 
not mean that necessarily she was possessed 
of an artist’s talent, but of the artist’s tem- 
perament. Besides, had she not lived with 
her artist father wandering about the most 
beautiful countries in Europe* until her 
arrival in Westhaven the winter before? 

*See “Girl Scouts of the Eagle’s Wing.” 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


If this temperament oftentimes allowed Tory 
to color humdrumness with rose, it also gave 
her a sensitive distaste to what other people 
might not feel so intensely. 

With half a dozen of the children in the 
yard of the Gray House, Tory now stopped 
to talk a few moments. Never before could 
she recall wanting to see Kara so much and 
so little at the same time. 

Of the two children who had been Kara’s 
special charges and her own favorites, only 
the boy remained. 

His eyes bluer and more wistful than for- 
merly, Billy Duncan came forward to speak 
to Tory. 

He seemed older and thinner and less the 
cherub she remembered. 

The children who were his playmates could 
have told her that Billy had altered since the 
departure of his adored companion, Lucy 
Martin, the httle girl who had been adopted 
by Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Hammond a few 
months before. 

Lucy Martin had been an odd little girl, 
full of fire and passion and wilfulness. Blindly 
and adoringly BiUy had followed her until 
her departure from the Gray House. 

Afterwards he never spoke of her or asked 


40 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


for her, although at first she often demanded 
his presence and came to the Gray House to 
see him. Of late, however, Lucy had ceased 
to appear. 

Do you miss Lucy? Tory inquired at this 
instant and was sorry for her own stupidity. 

Billy merely shook his head. He always 
had been a dull little boy. One had been 
fond of him because of his sweetness and 
placidity, not for any brilliance. 

Shpping a gift inside Billy’s pockets, Tory 
ran on up to the Gray House, comforting 
herself with the idea that the little boy was 
incapable of feeling anything deeply. 

The fact that Lucy had lost her affection 
for Kara, who had been like a devoted older 
sister, was more serious. 

The door stood open so that Tory entered 
the wide hall of the old house without ringing 
the bell. She had come often enough during 
the past winter and spring to be a privileged 
character. 

At the bottom of the long flight of stairs 
she paused a moment. Warm and out of 
breath, she did not wish Kara to guess at her 
rebeUious mood when she arrived at the little 
room up under the eaves. 

^^You won’t find Kara upstairs in her old 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


41 


room. Let me show you where she is/’ a 
voice called, as Tory placed her foot on the 
first stair. 

The big room had been a back parlor in 
the days when the Gray House had been the 
residence of a prosperous farmer. This was 
before the village of Westhaven had drawn 
so close to it. 

By the window in a wheeled chair sat a 
small figure crouched so low that had she not 
known it could be no one else, Tory would 
scarcely have recognized her. 

Since her night and Kara’s together on the 
hillside only a week had gone by. Could one 
week have altered Kara’s appearance and 
her nature? 

Her impulse to go toward the figure and 
gather her in her arms, Tory carefully repressed. 

Kara’s expression, as she raised her eyes at 
her approach, was almost forbidding. 

Tory also repressed the exclamation that 
rose to her lips. 

How white and thin the other girl’s face 
appeared! The humorous, gayly challenging 
look with which she had met former trials 
and difficulties had vanished. The lines of 
Kara’s mouth were tired and old, the gray 
eyes with the long dark lashes, her one claim 
to beauty, were dark and rebellious. 


42 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


^^You have taken your own time to come 
to see me, Tory. I have been here at the 
orphan asylum nearly a week and this is the 
first time you or any member of my Girl 
Scout Patrol has honored me with a call. I 
can’t say I altogether blame you. It cer- 
tainly is pleasanter at our camp in Beechwood 
Forest than in this place!” 

Tory’s arms went around Kara’s shoulders, 
her bright red lips touched the other girl’s 
brown hair. 

You know I have wanted to come to you 
every minute in the twenty-four hours, dear, 
and every member of your Patrol has wanted 
to come as weU, besides Miss Mason and 
Miss Frean and all the rest. To-day I am 
regarded as the most privileged person in the 
camp because I am first to see you. Dr. 
McClain only consented last night to allow 
me to come. I am to bring you everybody’s 
love and to demand that you stay away from 
camp only the shortest time. Otherwise we 
intend to call on Dr. McClain in a body and 
assert our authority as Girl Scouts to bring 
you home to Beechwood Forest. Anyone 
save a doctor would know you would sooner 
grow strong again there than here.” 

As she talked, partly as a relief from ner- 


m BEECHWOOD FOREST 


43 


vousness and to hide her consternation over 
Kara’s changed appearance, Tory was moving 
about the room arranging her gifts. 

In a vase filled with water from a pitcher 
standing on a table she placed a bouquet of 
faded wild flowers. 

The room became fragrant with the scent 
of wild hyacinths, ragged robins, cornflowers 
and daisies. By a low bowl piled with peaches 
and grapes, she put two magazines and a new 
book. 

Uncle Richard sent you the things to read, 
Kara. I should like to have brought more, 
but could not manage to carry them.” 

Still Kara made no reply. She scarcely had 
glanced at the offerings. 

Sorry the flowers are so faded. I think 
they will look better after a time. I had not 
the cruelty to decline to bring them, as Edith 
Linder and Teresa Peterson rose up this 
morning and gathered them in the dew to 
send you. I have brought our camp log for 
the past week.” 

Conscious of the wall between herself and 
her companion, Tory was aware that she was 
talking of trivialities until the moment when 
Kara would admit her inside her closed 
citadel. 


44 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


How long before she would speak a second 
time? 

Walking over toward Kara, Tory took a 
low seat beside the wheeled chair. 

With a swift gesture of affection she placed 
a square book on Karats lap. The book was 
of heavy paper, golden in color back and front 
and with silver-gray leaves inside. On the out- 
side cover was a painting of an eaglets wing. 

^^This is the first time we have ever had a 
written history of our week at camp, Kara 
dear. But we decided the other night at our 
Troop meeting to arrange this to bring to you. 
So whatever we dropped into the big box in 
front of Miss Mason’s tent we put inside this 
book. I have made some sketches and Joan 
Peters has written a poem dedicated to you. 
Please look for yourself, won’t you?” 

Kara turned away her eyes. 

Still Tory had no sensation of anger, only 
a kind of nervous fear. More than any one 
who ever knew her could have imagined here 
was a different Kara! 

She now pushed aside the little magazine 
with a gesture of annoyance. 

don’t want to know what you have been 
doing at camp, Tory. I never want to hear 
any mention of our Girl Scouts again. You 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


45 


must erase my name from our Patrol list and 
find some one else to fill my place.’’ 

A valiant effort, Tory’s to smile, when in 
the other girl’s voice and manner there was 
so much to make smiling difficult. 

^^When that day arrives, Kara, I presume 
I also shall wish to resign from the Girl 
Scouts. It is hard to imagine when we both 
care so deeply. Has anyone or anything 
offended you? Do you feel I am responsible 
for your accident? If you realized how many 
times during the past week I have wondered 
if this were true. I did ask Miss Mason for 
permission to allow us to go for the day alone. 
I told her that I could sketch so much better 
without any companion save you. She re- 
proaches herself now as much as I do and 
says as our Troop Captain the mistake was 
hers. But we promised not to go far from 
camp and were accustomed to the neighbor- 
hood.” 

Don’t be stupid, Tory. I have not for- 
gotten that I first suggested the plan to you. 
We wanted a day to ourselves.” 

Kara had spoken. At least this much had 
been accomplished, although her tone re- 
mained hard and uninterested. 

Suddenly her head went down until her 
face was hidden. 


46 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Don’t you know, Tory, darling? Has no 
one told you or the other Girl Scouts of our 
Troop? Dr. McClain promised me that he 
would tell you. I can’t come back to our 
camp in Beechwood Forest, I cannot be a 
Girl Scout. I may never be able to walk 
again. No, I do not suffer, I never have 
suffered, that is the dreadful part of it.” 

Kara’s hands now clutched the other girl’s 
shoulders. 

^^Tory, don’t look at me like that. It may 
not be true always.” 


CHAPTER V 


A DISCUSSION 



iHE land that is always afternoon/^ 
Joan Peters quoted dreamily. 


Twelve girls were seated in a circle 
in a clearing in Beechwood Forest. Save for 
the fact that fallen logs formed their resting 
place here was a modern American ^^Agora of 
Mycanae/’ the well polished circle of stones, 
where the earliest of civilized peoples sat for 
council and judgment. 

The afternoon sunlight slanted through the 
deep polished green of the trees. 

A few moments before, the other girls had 
been earnestly talking, then had ensued a 
thoughtful silence and Jean’s irrelevant speech. 

never have understood exactly what that 
expression means, but it always has had a 
fascination for me,” she continued. “Please 
don’t think I am forgetting what we have 
been discussing this last hour. To my mind 
there can be no two ways of looking at it. 
The only problem we have is Kara. And, 
thank goodness, we do not have to decide 
what is wisest and best for her.” 


48 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Seated beside Joan, Tory Drew remained 
oddly still. Quiet either of body or mind was 
an unusual phase with her. Life and move- 
ment were her natural characteristics, more 
marked than with most girls. 

wish I could think as Joan does, that 
the decision does not rest with us and we must 
be content,’’ she added finally. feel as if I 
knew it was the only thing for Kara to come 
back to us and as if no one and nothing could 
induce me to think otherwise.” 

^^Not a very sensible point of view, Vic- 
toria,” a voice answered. 

In the tone there was a different enunciation. 
In the voice there was a different emphasis 
from the other Girl Scouts. Besides, no one 
of them ever spoke to Tory without using her 
abbreviated title. 

The girl who had made the remark was 
different in manner, appearance and costume 
from the rest of the group, although not con- 
spicuously so. Martha Greaves was an 
English girl who had crossed the ocean early 
in the summer with Tory Drew’s father and 
step-mother to spend the summer in West- 
haven. She was singularly tall with light 
brown hair and gray-blue eyes. 

After she had spoken she appeared a httle 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


4>9 


embarrassed as if she regretted having called 
the attention of the other girls to her presence. 

At the beginning of their acquaintance 
Martha and Tory had felt drawn toward 
each other. The differences in their tempera- 
ments appeared not as a barrier, but an 
interest. 

But with the opening of the camp in 
Beechwood Forest, Tory had neglected her 
responsibihties. Her affection for Katherine 
Moore had made her less mindful than she 
should have been of a stranger in a new 
environment. 

Fortunately Martha Greaves was an English 
Girl Guide. She was wearing the uniform of 
the Guides at this moment. Shy she might 
appear upon suddenly expressing her opinion, 
yet assuredly she had made a number of 
friends among the Girl Scouts. Moreover, 
she was too vitally interested in the differences 
between the two organizations, the Girl 
Guides of England and the Girl Scouts of the 
United States, to be especially self conscious. 

She understood and Uked Tory^s impulsive 
nature with its capacity for romantic affection, 
so unhke her own. She considered herself to 
be a matter-of-fact person with only a few 
enthusiasms. 


50 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


At Martha^s sensible statement Tory had 
the sensation of being suddenly plunged into 
cold water. 

A moment she was nonplussed and slightly 
angry. Then she had the good sense to realize 
that Martha had not intended to be unkind. 
What she had said was undoubtedly true. 

If she were rarely sensible at any time, Tory 
appreciated that she had become less so since 
her last talk with Kara. 

Not an hour since had the problem of Kara 
been out of her mind. 

Indeed, since the news of the result of what 
had first seemed a simple accident had reached 
the camp of the Girl Scouts in Beechwood 
Forest, the entire summer to which they had 
looked forward so joyously seemed to offer 
only disappointment. 

They were only fourteen in number and 
Kara was individually dear to each one of 
them. Seven of the group were in Kara’s 
own Patrol, the others, members of her Troop 
of the Eagle’s Wing. 

If they suffered some disadvantages over 
the larger summer camps for girls they had 
the advantage of a peculiar and intimate 
feeling for one another. The fact that Martha 
Greaves was the one outsider added a special 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


51 


interest. Rarely a half day passed that one 
of the Girl Scouts did not make some inquiry 
of Martha concerning their respective organi- 
zations. 

She was glad enough to answer and they 
were learning from each other. 

The Girl Scouts of the Eagle’s Wing had 
worked at their scouting during the past 
winter with pleasure and faith, but occasional 
meetings could not bring the results these past 
few magical weeks at camp had accomplished. 

All day long they were outdoors, at night 
the tent flaps were oftentimes left open for a 
better view of the sky and the feel of the wind. 

All their own work had they undertaken 
and life had never appeared more practical, 
simple and delightful. 

Then like a cloud darkening the serenity of 
their summer had come the news of Katherine 
Moore’s accident with its unexpected, tragic 
result. 

Tory Drew sighed. 

^^You are probably right, Martha. I have 
been told often enough by Aunt Victoria and 
sometimes by Kara herself that I have too 
great an opinion of my own judgment, when 
in reality my judgment isn’t very good. 

^^Yet this time I simply can’t feel that I 


52 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


am mistaken. Kara will be happier here at 
camp with us than at the Gray House or in 
a sanitarium. We all understand her and 
will do anything in the world to make her 
happier. Dr. McClain says that Kara’s state 
of mind worries him a great deal. Yet how 
can it be different? Surely we can make her 
physically comfortable in the evergreen house 
and all of us will wish to wait on her. I — ” 

Tory hesitated and could not go on. 

agree with you entirely, Tory,” Mar- 
garet Hale answered sympathetically. Tory’s 
Patrol leader, a dignified girl of gentle breed- 
ing, she was not the most gifted member of 
the Patrol, yet possessed the greatest per- 
sonal influence. One could always trust to 
Margaret’s sense of justice. She was never 
prejudiced and never unfair. 

“I feel as Tory does. If there is nothing 
the doctors can do for Kara at present, save 
to watch her carefully, she had far better be 
here with us. I know they will do everything 
that is possible at the Gray House; I know too 
that Mr. Fenton has offered to pay Kara’s 
expenses should the doctors decide she had 
best go to a sanitarium. Yet will either of 
these places alter Kara’s state of mind? 

Since Tory told us of her talk with Kara 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


53 


I have scarcely been able to think of anything 
else. Kara, with her optimism and humor 
vanished; Kara, hard and bitter and wretched! 
It seems so incredible! Why, she has always 
faced her difficult existence with such courage. 
When one thinks of Kara it is to recall the 
humorous expression of her eyes, the laughter 
that always was waiting its chance. No one 
ever had so gay a laugh as Kara!’^ 

Unconscious of what she was doing, at this 
instant Tory jumped up. Leaving her seat 
she stood alone in the center of the circle 
looking toward the other girls. 

The first rays of the sunset slanted through 
the trees, turning the green to gold. One ray 
fell directly upon Torjy' Drew, her bright, red- 
gold hair, her thin, eager face and graceful 
figure. 

About her the other girls were more in 
darkness. 

There was almost a mystic quafity in the 
late afternoon atmosphere, here in the heart 
of an ancient woods, with no one near save 
the circle of Girl Scouts. 

'^Margaret has suggested just what I want 
to make clear to aU of you. The old Kara for 
the time being seems to have disappeared. 
And perhaps for the reasons Margaret has 
mentioned. 


54 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


^^Kara has had too much to bear. She 
has always made the best of the fact that she 
had no parents, no family! Cleverer and 
sweeter than anyone, she was found in a 
deserted house with no explanation as to 
why she had been left there. 

“Kara found happiness in the life at the 
Gray House because everybody cared for her 
at the asylum and in the village. But she 
was always thinking that the day was coming 
when she would be able to earn her own living 
at some congenial work. 

“Now, Kara told me the other day that this 
hope has been taken from her and she sees 
notliing left. I am frightened about her. 
The doctors tell her she may walk again some 
day, but not for a long time. She insists this 
is only to encourage her. If we, her own 
Troop of Girl Scouts, can do nothing for her, 
I don’t see who can.” 

Louise Miller, seated beside her most inti- 
mate friend, Dorothy McClain, uttered an 
unexpected exclamation. 

Under ordinary circumstances she talked 
less than any one of her companions. Usually 
it was conceded that Louise alone among all 
of them thought of what she was going to say 
before making a remark. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


55 


She was not good looking. Her features 
were heavy and she had grown too rapidly. 
She had peculiar light gray eyes under thick 
dark brows which held a kind of fascination. 
Yet Louise’s only real claim to beauty was 
a mass of coppery, red-brown hair. 

She was not happy or congenial with her 
own family. They were poor and her mother, 
a pretty woman, resented Louise’s lack of 
beauty as well as their poverty. On Louise’s 
part there was no effort to conceal the fact 
that she had been happier these past weeks 
at their Girl Scout camp in Beechwood Forest 
than at any time since she could remember. 

''There is something to be considered in this 
situation beside Kara,” she began, with a kind 
of awkward earnestness. The statement had 
not a happy sound, but the other girls waited, 
knowing that Louise had an odd fashion of 
expressing herself. One could not at first be 
altogether sure of her meaning. 

"We must remember that it is not for 
Kara’s sake only that we are to keep her here, 
if Dr. McClain agrees it will be wise, but for 
our own sakes as well. While Tory has been 
talking I have been wondering if we were 
equal, as Girl Scouts, to the test. 

"You look surprised, Tory, as if there 


56 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


could be no question save the joy of having 
Kara to take care of and her pleasure in being 
with us. There will be other sides to it. 
Some one of us will always have to stay with 
Kara day and night. She must never be left 
alone for any length of time, when we may 
be wanting to go off together on a hike or a 
swimming party. It may be hard now and 
then to be left out.' We must not expect 
Kara always to be cheerful and patient.” 

Louise had been looking toward Tory Drew. 
She now turned her head and her glance 
traveled from one face to the other. 

The group of girls, except for a few addi- 
tional ones, was the same that had gathered 
in the old Fenton home in Westhaven on a 
momentous evening the winter before. 

On that evening they had formed the first 
Patrol of the Girl Scouts of the Eagle’s Wing 
Troop. Margaret Hale remained the Patrol 
Leader and Dorothy McClain her Corporal. 
The other girls were Victoria Drew, Joan 
Peters, Louise Miller, Teresa Peterson and 
Katherine Moore. Edith Linder had been 
asked later to become the eighth member and 
so complete the favored number. 

To-day, amid the outdoor council in the 
woods, there were four girls from a second 
Patrol in the same Girl Scout Troop. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


57 


Honor, loyalty, duty, a sister to every 
other Girl Scout, courtesy, cheerfulness. These 
are some of our Scout principles. I wonder 
if bringing Katherine Moore here as an 
invahd to be cared for by us would not put 
our Scout principles into a crucible?^’ one of 
the four remarked unexpectedly. 

Tory Drew frowned upon her, and then 
realizing the truth of what she had said, her 
expression changed and she nodded agreement. 

Why should she expect that all the other 
girls must appreciate as she did the degree of 
Kara’s misfortune and the necessity to do 
something to make her lot easier without 
delay. 

The girl she was looking down upon always 
had amused Kara and herself. She was so 
unlike any of them. Her light hair was 
almost as short as a boy’s and was boyish in 
appearance, save that it curled in an almost 
babyish fashion. Her eyes were wide open 
and a light china blue. Here her doll-like 
attributes ended. She had a short, deter- 
mined nose, a square chin, and a large mouth 
filled with small, even teeth. 

She had an odd, boyish name as well, Evan 
Phillips. No one knew a great deal about 
her. She had come with her mother to live 


58 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


in Westhaven the winter before in order to 
go to school. She had spoken of living in 
California before that time. A member of a 
Girl Scout Patrol in the west, she had asked 
to be admitted into the Eaglets Wing Troop 
in Westhaven. 

The three other members of the second 
Patrol were Julia and Frances Murray and 
Ann Fletcher. 

What is a crucible, Evan? Tory inquired. 

don’t care in the least how many of our 
Scout principles are cast into it, if only Kara 
is here at camp wdth us. I know what Louise 
means, but no one need be troubled. If Kara 
will permit it, I shall wish to be with her 
always.” 

^^You will not be allowed, Tory. Remem- 
ber, Kara is our friend as well as yours, and 
we have known her longer,” Dorothy McClain 
and the other girls protested, almost in the 
same words and at the same instant. 

Suppose you do not argue any more for 
the present,” a quiet voice interrupted, the 
same voice that so often gave Tory the sensa- 
tion that she had been quietly and politely 
restrained from too great intensity. 

am sure I hear some one coming, three 
people in fact.” 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


59 


It was slightly annoying to the American 
Girl Scouts that in many ways their English 
guest had a better outdoor training than any 
one of them. However, this was not her 
first camping experience. 

A moment or so later Dr. McClain appeared 
at an opening between two of the trees in the 
encircHng grove. He was accompanied by 
Sheila Mason and Miss Frean. The two 
women remained outside. Alone Dr. McClain 
entered the charmed circle. At once a dozen 
girls were crowding about him. 

A quarter of an hour after Tory Drew and 
Dorothy McClain were walking with him 
toward the road that led back into Westhaven. 

^^We will have the little evergreen house 
made comfortable for Kara. Miss Mason and 
all of us have decided she will be safer and 
easier to care for there than in one of the 
tents. You are sure it will be best for her? 
She must become stronger and in better 
spirits being with us,” Dorothy McClain 
insisted, clinging to her father^s arm as if 
she were unwilling to let him go. declare 
it is wonderful to have a Girl Scout doctor — 
father!” 

Dr. McClain made a sound half pleasure, 
half displeasure. 


60 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


this is what I have come to after more 
than a quarter of a century of hard work, a 
Girl Scout Doctor! Hope you girls may have 
no further need for me. Hard luck about little 
Kara. Things may turn out better for her 
later on. By the way, you and Tory do not 
know, and perhaps had best not mention it, 
but the very log cabin^where you are planning 
to install Kara is the house where the child 
was found deserted years ago.’’ 

^^But gracious. Dr. McClain!” Tory argued, 
^‘1 have always been told that Kara was found 
in a deserted farmhouse. Our evergreen cabin 
was never a farmhouse. Mr. Hammond once 
spoke of finding Kara when I was with them, 
and he was not aware that Kara was the child 
he had discovered. 

^^Then Jeremy Hammond does not know a 
farmhouse when he sees one. The house was 
a deserted hut in those days where no one 
had Hved for a great many years. That is 
why the mystery was the greater. A bridle 
path then led past the door and joined a 
road that was a short cut into Westhaven. 
The path is now overgrown with grass. 

remember very well, because I came out 
myself next day to see if Hammond, who was 
a young fellow, may have overlooked any 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


61 


method by which we might trace Kara’s his- 
tory. Save for the piece of paper pinned to 
the child’s dress and bearing her name no 
other information was ever forthcoming. Good- 
by, here is my car waiting. I’ll bring Kara 
out myself in a few days. Remember, this is 
only to be an experiment. If she is not hap- 
pier and does not improve we must try some- 
thing else. Much depends upon you. ^Be 
Prepared’.” 


CHAPTER VI 


^^THE CHOROS’^ 

I N the open space a solitary figure was 
dancing. 

The enclosure was not the circular 
place where the Girl Scouts held their councils, 
but deeper in the woods, although not a great 
distance away. 

The space was larger. Instead of being 
surrounded by giant beech trees, a new grove 
of young beeches was here growing up to take 
the places of older trees that had died or 
been cut down. Their slender trunks were 
high and arched, their branches curved down- 
ward. They seemed to stoop, as young things 
that have grown too tall for their own strength. 
The green of their leaves was paler and more 
transparent. Underneath the trees the ground 
was covered with a finer, softer grass. 

The girl was dancing barefoot. She wore 
a thin white dress. On the ground not far 
away was the khaki costume which she must 
have discarded for the time being. 

Her hair was short and fair, and she had a 
( 62 ) 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


63 


square, determined, lightly freckled face. She 
was short and her figure not particularly 
graceful in repose. Watching her dancing 
one thought of neither of these things. The 
square head with the light fringe of curling 
hair was perfectly poised, the body showed 
strength and lightness. 

At this moment the girl was moving in a 
wide circle inside the fringe of young beeches. 
Her arms were extended above her head; at 
regular intervals she poised and stood upon 
her toes, then danced more rapidly. At 
length, with a little fiuttering movement like 
a swallow about to alight, she dropped on the 
grass, her arms covering her head. 

From a short distance away came exclama- 
tions of pleasure. 

Stiffening with surprise, anger, and what 
might have been alarm, the small figure arose. 

Tory Drew, pushing a wheeled chair with 
a good deal of difficulty, slowly advanced. 
Seated in the chair was Katherine Moore. 

^^Evan, I am sorry we have intruded upon 
you and stopped your dance. It did not 
occur to me until this moment that you did 
not hear us approaching. Kara was bored and 
I thought if I could manage we would come 
down here to our ^Choros/ Isn’t it learned 


64 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


to have called our dancing ground by the 
name of the first dancing grounds ever dis- 
covered and built by Daedalus, the famous 
artificer of Crete? However, we are obliged 
to give Miss Frean the credit for most of our 
erudition. 

We will go on again to the lake as soon as 
I have rested a little. May I say that it 
was wonderful to see you? I did not dream 
that any one of our Girl Scout Troop could 
dance as you do. I am sure Kara must have 
enjoyed watching you. So you will forgive 
my not having told you we were near.’’ 

The girl in the wheeled chair lifted her head. 

“I wonder, Tory, why you think I enjoy 
seeing another person dance? Isn’t it hard 
enough to sit everlastingly watching you 
walking, swimming, doing whatever you wish, 
while I am more helpless than a baby? 
Naturally it affords me especial joy to behold 
another girl who can do all these other things 
and dance like a wood nymph besides!” 

In the young voice there was a note that 
made her companions stare helplessly toward 
her and then drop their eyes as if they were 
responsible and ashamed. 

^^Kara, dear, it is my fault. Things always 
seem to be my fault, I am so stupid these 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


65 


days! I never realized that you would mind 
the dancing. I had forgotten how much you 
used to care for dancing. Besides, I did not 
suppose we would find any one here, and 
thought we could enjoy the cool and the quiet. 

Good-by, Evan. You are a wood nymph. 
Kara was right.^’ 

Tory had placed her hands on the back of 
the wheeled chair and was about to move 
on, when again a querulous voice interrupted: 

^^Oh, no, let us not go at once. You are 
always tiring yourself to death for me these 
days. DonT think I never overhear Miss 
Mason and the other girls speaking of it, 
Tory. One learns to hear more than one 
should in my position. I was notjalways an 
eavesdropper. Neither did I suppose you 
would have to be a martyr for my sake, Tory. 
I wish you would try not to be; a mart}^’ is 
a noble character, but one does not wish one 
for a constant companion.^’ 

Tory Drew made no reply. Instead she 
shoved the heavy chair into a cool, green shel- 
ter and dropped down on the ground beside it. 

The other girl followed, anxious to be 
useful and not knowing what she should do. 

A week had passed since Karats return to 
her friends in their Girl Scout camp in Beech- 


66 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


wood Forest. The Kara who had gone away 
after her accident and the Kara who had come 
back seemed two utterly different human 
beings. 

The courageous, gay, sweet-tempered girl 
was now rebellious, fretful, impatient. Indeed, 
she had become more difficult than any one 
who had known her previously could have 
imagined. 

The little group of Girl Scouts were being 
tested, and more than any one of them, Tory 
Drew. So far not once had she faltered. 
Knowing Tory six months before, one could 
scarcely have believed this possible. Always 
she had been sweet and charming, but self 
centered and spoiled. Now, was it her affec- 
tion for Katherine Moore or the months of 
her Scout training that had given her a new 
spirit? ! 

Suppose you tell us how you learned to 
dance in that beautiful fashion, Evan? Then, 
if Kara wishes, perhaps you will dance for 
us again? 

The girl with the odd, boyish name gazed 
at Tory Drew reflectively. Since their arrival 
in camp she had conceived a deep admiration 
for Tory. She had never spoken of it to any 
human being. Tory possessed this charm, of 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


67 


which she was unconscious, which was to 
gain her friends all her life. 

Evan sat down on the ground nearby. 

She was a year younger than the other two 
girls. At this moment, in her shabby, simple 
white dress, she appeared a good deal younger. 

Would you really like to know about my 
dancing? I have been wanting to tell some 
one. It would be absurd to pretend I had not 
been taught, no one with any judgment 
would believe me. Besides, when one is a 
Girl Scout I do not think one desires to keep 
secrets from the other girls. Perhaps you 
won’t approve of me afterwards, but I shall 
run that risk.” 

Tory laughed. 

^‘You are a dear! I approve of nearly 
every one. What could there be to object 
to in your wonderful dancing? Don’t you 
know every girl who sees you must envy you.” 

A little fearfully Tory glanced upward 
toward Kara. 

Had she been tactless again? Everything 
she said or did appeared the wrong thing 
these days. 

At present apparently Kara was not looking 
or listening to either of them. Her gray 
eyes, which showed so wistfully in her thin 


68 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


face, were fixed on a far-off line of the sky 
between two clumps of trees. 

^^Well, you might as well hear the worst at 
the start, Evan went on, smiling and reveal- 
ing her small, even teeth. 

^^In the first place, I received my ridiculous 
name because my father died a short time 
after I was born. It was intended I should 
be a boy, so I was named for him. We were 
poor and mother had to make her own living 
and mine. She did not feel troubled over this 
because she had studied dancing and loved 
it. So she gave dancing lessons in California, 
and before I was two years old I was a member 
of her class. We never would have stopped 
save that mother was ill and we were forced 
to come east to consult a doctor. We came 
to Westhaven to live so she could be near 
New York and I at school. Mother is better, 
and next winter intends to begin teaching 
again.” 

“So you wish to be a dancing teacher?” 
Katherine Moore asked. The other girls 
w^ere under the impression that she had not 
heard what they were saying. 

Evan jumped up quickly. 

“Never, I should hate it! I mean to study 
folk dancing and some day originate new 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


69 


dances that shall be as American as possible. 
We talk of the folk dancing of the Irish and 
Spanish, and the Austrians and the Dutch 
and any number of other nations. When we 
speak of American folk daneing it is supposed 
we dance like the Indians. I don’t see why 
we can’t create a national folk dance of our 
own.” 

Evan made a cup of her hands and dropped 
her chin into it. 

Please don’t laugh; I think an American 
folk dance might be like these young beech 
trees. I know that sounds absurd. What I 
mean is, the dance should show youth and 
freshness and grace, beautiful things Hke a 
primeval American forest. Oh, I don’t sup- 
pose you understand me. I am sure I don’t 
quite understand myself! 

Since I have been at camp Miss Mason 
has allowed me to come here an hour each 
morning to practice. May I show you the 
dance I have been trying to compose. I 
don’t mind if you laugh at the dance or at 
me, I do it so badly. I shall learn some day. 
I like to call it ^The Dance of the Young 
Beeches’.” 

Without waiting for Kara’s or Tory’s 
agreement, Evan was up and away. Slowly 


70 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


she again circled around the beautiful danc- 
ing ground, her arms and body waving with 
gentle, fanciful undulations. 

Now and then she seemed to be swept by 
light winds; again a storm pressed upon her 
and she bowed and swayed as if resisting with 
all her strength. Afterwards, wishing to sug- 
gest that the storm had passed and the sun 
was shining and the birds singing, she tip- 
toed about, her arms gently undulating, her 
face looking upward. 

The dancing was crude and yet would have 
been attractive to eyes more accustomed to 
trained dancing than Tory’s or Kara’s. 

Tory’s first sensation was one of pure, 
artistic pleasure. Then glancing at Kara she 
felt a deeper joy. A moment Kara appeared 
to have forgotten her own misfortune. She 
looked more interested, more entertained than 
in many days. 

“Don’t you think, Evan, that if your 
mother is well she might be persuaded to 
come to your camp and teach us dancing?” 
Kara demanded, as if she too could be included 
in the lessons. “ I know when we first decided 
to have our camp in Beechwood Forest one 
of the things we talked of doing was learning 
outdoor dancing. We hoped Miss Mason 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


71 


would be able to teach us. She only knows 
ordinary dances, and insists she does not even 
know the newest of these. She has not gone 
into society since the death of the young 
officer to whom she was engaged,’’ Kara con- 
fided. “Sometimes I wonder if being Captain 
of our Girl Scout Troop has not helped her 
almost as much as the rest of us?” 

She stopped abruptly. 

Farther off in the woods the three girls 
heard a strange sound. 

It was as if some one were calling. Yet the 
noise was not the Girl Scout signal. 

Ten minutes later, on the way back to 
camp, unexpectedly the three girls beheld 
Teresa Peterson hurrying on alone. She looked 
surprised, even a little frightened, by their 
appearance. 

When Tory inquired where she had been, 
as Teresa made no reply, the question was 
dropped. 

No one was supposed to leave the camp 
without special permission from the Troop 
Captain. There was no reason, however, to 
suppose that Teresa had not received this 
permission. 


CHAPTER VII 


OTHER GIRLS 


HE other girls in the camp in Beech- 



wood Forest were not passing through 


so trying an ordeal as Victoria Drew 
and Katherine Moore, after Katherine^s return 
to camp. 

Sympathetic they were with Kara’s mis- 
fortune, yet upon them it did not press so 
heavUy. 

Frankly two of the girls acknowledged that 
the few weeks at camp were the happiest of 
their entire lives. These two girls were 
Louise Miller and Teresa Peterson. Neither 
of them was particularly congenial with their 
home surroundings. 

An odd contradiction, Louise Miller was 
oftentimes so quiet, so slow and awkward in 
her movements that many persons regarded 
her as stupid. This was never true among the 
friends who knew her intimately, if for no 
other reason, than because of Dorothy Mc- 
Clain’s attitude. From the time they were 
children the two girls had admired and loved 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


73 


each other, notwithstanding the difference in 
their natures. Dorothy was one of the happy 
persons whose attraction was so apparent 
that few natures resisted it. She was hand- 
some and straightforward and sweet tempered. 
One girl in a family of six brothers, she had 
learned a freemasonry of living, and had not 
the sensitiveness and introspection that 
troubles so many young girls. Her mother 
was dead, yet she and her father had been 
such intimate friends that she had not felt 
the keenness of her loss as she must have 
under different circumstances. 

Indeed, Louise Miller, whose parents were 
living, endured a deeper loneliness. 

There had never been any pretence of any- 
thing else. Her father was a business failure. 
This had narrowed and embittered his nature. 
He was devoted to his mfe but to no one else. 

She had cared for society and beautiful 
surroundings and been forced to do without 
them. To have Louise, her oldest child, 
another disappointment, was difficult to bear. 

If Louise had been pretty, if she had 
appeared to be clever, if she had cared for 
her home hfe and been anxious to assist her 
mother with the younger children, Mrs. 
Miller would have been quick to appreciate 


74 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


any one of these characteristics. But Louise 
was not handsome, she insisted upon disliking 
every character of household work, and her 
position at school was not always above the 
average. In certain classes she did excel. 
Louise herself was the last person who could 
have explained why there were days when she 
was so absorbed that she seemed more than 
ordinarily dull even in the subjects that some- 
sometimes interested her. 

She was never a favorite with her teachers 
or with strangers. But for one thing Louise 
was always grateful. Her own troop of Girl 
Scouts sincerely liked her, for her own sake 
as well as Dorothy’s. Only Dorothy she 
believed really understood and cared for her 
deeply in spite of her faults and idiosyncrasies. 

With Dorothy alone she felt able to say 
and behave exactly as she desired. She could 
drop into one of her moods of self-absorption, 
or speak as if she were thinkihg aloud. Not 
always were her ideas clear even to herself 
until she had slowly evolved them. 

Now these days in the woods Louise felt 
freer, less awkward and self-conscious. Mys- 
teriously, unexpectedly, she was finding her- 
self. 

With the other girls nature study was a 


m BEECHWOOD FOREST 


75 


pastime, or merely a necessity of their out- 
door Scout training. With Louise it was 
becoming a passionate dehght. 

The note of the first bird singing deep 
among the beechwoods found her awake and 
guessing the name before slipping noiselessly 
outdoors to see if the warbler could be dis- 
covered. 

The other girls were amused by the fact 
that Louise wandered about* all day carrying 
a nature book in her hand. She studied the 
trees and flowers, even the stones, silent most 
of the time while her companions chattered. 
If one of them asked a question concerning 
the outdoors that she could answer, she would 
become eloquent enough. But to Dorothy 
McClain alone she confided her deeper spiritual 
and mental reactions. 

It is as if I had been asleep'^aU my life 
before, Dorothy, dear, and was only beginning 
to wake up. Somehow I cannot explain it, 
even to myself, I feel so convinced that this 
summer in the woods will have a tremendous 
influence on my future life. I am going to 
find something in these woods that I have been 
looking for in a stupid fashion since I was a 
little girl.’^ 

“We are what the winds and sun and waters 


76; [THE GIRL SCOUTS 

made us/^ Dorothy quoted, glad to recall at 
this moment the lines her father so often 
repeated. 

Louise shook her head. 

^^No, I mean something different. We all 
are what you have just said. I feel lately 
that the outdoors is going to do something 
special for me. Actually I mean 1 am going 
to find something here the rest of you may 
not find.’’ 

Louise laughed. She had a large mouth 
with strong, white teeth. “That speech of 
mine would annoy my mother dreadfully. 
She says I am always dreaming and never 
interested in real things. Nothing ever seemed 
real to me until this summer in Beechwood 
Forest.” 

Carefully she smoothed the brown army 
blanket on her cot bed. 

She and Dorothy McClain were straighten- 
ing their tent preparatory for inspection in 
the hour after breakfast. Their flag raising 
and Scout drill were the first features of the 
long summer day. 

The tent was scrupulously neat. 

Dorothy McClain stooped to pick up a 
fallen book. She was paying a slightly 
puzzled attention to the other girl’s odd con- 
versation. 


IN BEECHWCKDD FOREST 


77 


Would it not be difficult to persuade your 
mother to believe, Louise, that you and I are 
interested in our camp housekeeping? Miss 
Mason said the other day you probably would 
earn a merit badge before the summer was 
past for cooking over a camp fire. Is this 
because you are preparing to spend your 
entire life out of doors?’’ 

Dorothy appeared amused and incredulous. 
She was devoted to athletics and a thoroughly 
normal and delightful person. Nevertheless, 
the two people for whom she cared most, 
excepting her father, were her brother Lance 
and her friend Louise Miller, both of whom 
were unusual. 

^^You are an angel, Dorothy, to try to be 
sympathetic with me. You can’t know what 
I am talking about, if I don’t myself. There 
is only one other person in the world to whom 
I could speak. Miss Frean. When I know 
better what I am only dreaming of at present 
I shall confide to her and ask her advice. 
Isn’t it fine to think of her nearby in her little 
House in the Woods, always ready to give us 
help and advice. Tory declares she would 
never have dared to insist we have Kara at 
camp with us when she is so ill and unhappy 
except for Miss Frean’s nearness.” 


78 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Her task accomplished, Louise turned aside 
from her cot bed and put her arm about the 
other girFs shoulders. 

Dorothy, I know I am selfish with you. 
I suppose because I am so tongue-tied with 
other people I pour forth everything upon 
you. I have not forgotten you said you 
wanted to speak to me about something this 
morning when we were alone. What is it?” 

Dorothy stooped and glanced in the small 
square mirror which hung suspended from 
one of the tent poles. 

Her bright chestnut hair was braided and 
twisted about her head. Ordinarily her 
father objected to this grown up fashion. At 
camp Dorothy insisted that two long plaits 
were always in one^s way. Her eyes were a 
clear blue with a slight hint of gray, her skin 
healthy and freshly colored. A fine, frank 
line formed her lips. Altogether she was the 
type of American girlhood who represents 
many of our highest ideals. 

At the present moment a frown appeared 
between her brows. 

I did want to ask your opinion about some- 
thing, Louise. Yet nothing is more important 
to me than to see how happy you are this 
summer and how the life in the forest is 


IN BE±:CHWOOD FOREST 79 

changing you. What I wanted to ask is your 
view concerning the apology the Boy Scouts 
have made us for their rudeness. Shall we 
or shall we not bury the hatchet and agree 
to forgive them? The situation is particu- 
larly uncomfortable for me. I donT hke to 
take any special position in the matter, 
because Lance and Don are my brothers. 
Lance has confessed he was principally respon- 
sible for their effort to frighten or tease us 
soon after our arrival at camp. So far as I 
have been able to find out we seem about 
evenly divided on the subject. Tory Drew 
wishes to forget all about it. She is so grate- 
ful to Don and Lance for rescuing Kara that 
she refuses to consider anything else. Edith 
Linder agrees with Tory besides Evan Phillips 
and several other girls. 

Strangely the persons most opposed to 
forgiving the boys and making friends again 
are Margaret Hale and Joan Peters. 

^^We are to vote on the question to-night. 
^^But here comes Teresa. Perhaps she will 
tell us how she feels on the subject. I wonder 
what is the matter? She looks worried, and 
she has been so happy at camp.’^ 

At the tent opening Teresa appeared. 

^^Do come on down to the lake and let us 


80 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


sit there a half hour and talk if you have 
finished your work? she asked. 

Teresa’s olive coloring had deepened in the 
weeks in the sunshine and fresh air, her cheeks 
were more rose colored, her wide eyes with 
their half mature, half childish expression 
were slightly plaintive at this instant. 

The shores of the lake, not a great distance 
from the camping ground, were a favorite 
resting place for the Girl Scout Troop. 

Not only did they rest here and hold long 
conversations, of necessity here a good deal 
of the camp work took place. Clothes and 
dishes were washed, water was had for clean- 
ing. Farther up on the left-hand side, where a 
shore of bright pebbles ran down into the lake, 
was the bathing beach for the campers. 
The water for drinking was obtained at a 
pure spring up the hill of the Three Pines 
which rose not far off from the camp. 

At present, as the greater number of the 
girls were still busy in their tents, the vicinity 
of the lake was agreeably solitary. 

As the three girls sat down Louise Miller 
said suddenly: 

There is a legend of a lake where every 
night at midnight a maiden arises bearing in 
her hands a silver bowl. One may make a 
wish and cast it into the silver bowl. Then 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


81 


the maiden disappears. On another night, 
one can never know exactly when, the maiden 
returns and on this night grants your wish.^’ 
wish she would appear at once,^’ Teresa 
grumbled. have a wish she might be per- 
suaded to grant. I want something more 
exciting to happen at camp. Oh, I am enjoy- 
ing it of course, but of late the days have been 
a good deal alike.” 

^^What is it you want, Teresa?” Louise 
Miller demanded a little scornfully. Two 
girls could not have been more unlike. Because 
Louise was intellectual she could not alto- 
gether refrain from regarding the other girl 
with a mixture of pity and amused contempt, 
as well as occasional envy. 

Teresa was so pretty, so gentle and con- 
fiding and pleasure loving. When she failed 
to live up to the Scout rules, as all of the girls, 
being human, did now and then, no one ever 
blamed Teresa. Nor did Louise Miller under- 
stand that Teresa represented the type of girl 
who oftentimes has a stronger will than any 
other, hidden beneath her apparent gentleness. 
Teresa was not conscious of possessing a 
strong will. In fact, she would have denied 
the fact, believing she was telling the exact 
truth. 


82 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


She only knew that in a quiet fashion she 
wanted what she wanted very intensely and 
that it was almost impossible to give up any 
wish. She might try her best, she might even 
pretend to herself that she had given up. The 
desire was inclined to be only asleep and to 
wake again. One must remember this char- 
acteristic in hearing of Teresa Peterson^s after 
career. 

Teresa shrugged her shoulders. 

am not anxious to talk to you, Louise, 
only it is so impossible to see Dorothy without 
you.’' 

Teresa flushed prettily. 

There, I don’t mean to be rude. One is 
now and then without intending it. I sup- 
pose you are such a profoundly intellectual 
individual you cannot bear with my frivolous 
character. 

^‘1 only want to say to Dorothy that I am 
specially anxious to have our camp of Girl 
Scouts make friends with the Boy Scouts. I 
have a special reason and promised to do my 
best with the girls. But of course I know I 
have not a great deal of influence, like you 
have Dorothy, or Margaret Hale, or Tory 
Drew.” 

Teresa’s voice and manner became vaguely 
plaintive. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


83 


'^Then we could have occasional dances, or 
supper parties, something to vary the outdoor 
monotony. Oh, of course I love the camp 
better than being at home. I only thought 
we were going to have some other associates 
beside just our own Troop. Most of the boys 
are our old friends and Don and Lance are your 
brothers, Dorothy. I don’t see any point in 
our always avoiding each other.” 

see, Teresa, feminine society is not 
enough for you. I wonder if it ever wdll be,” 
Louise remarked with such profound disgust 
and annoyance that Dorothy shook her head 
reproachfully. 

Don’t be so cross, Ouida, I am sure Teresa 
does not mean any great harm. I like boys, 
I am obliged to like them with six brothers of 
my own. Besides, I feel as Teresa does that 
it is stupid and self righteous of us to continue 
to refuse to have anything to do with the 
Boy Scouts simply because they once offended 
us. Certainly I miss the opportunity to see 
Lance and Don now and then.” 

Anxious to be out of the conversation, 
Louise Miller picked up a book of nature 
studies on the New England country, by 
John Burroughs, and began reading. 

Teresa Peterson’s nature was not a straight- 


84 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


forward one. Without actual proof Louise 
Miller felt this instinctively. Of course there 
was no great harm in her. But then all the 
more reason why she might make mischief 
without intending it. 

A few moments later the three girls moved 
back toward camp. Tent inspection was over 
and they were going for an all-day hike through 
the woods. 


CHAPTER VIII 


LIGHT AND SHADE 


ICTORIA DREW sat on the lowest 



step leading into the evergreen cabin. 


^ This was the name she preferred to call 
it. Inside Kara lay asleep. 

There was no one else at the camp in 
Beechwood Forest at this moment. 

The other girls and the Troop Captain had 
departed for a day^s hike, not to return until 
late afternoon. 

Nevertheless Tory and Kara had not been 
alone. This never occurred; Edith Linder 
had remained to be useful and to relieve Tory. 
As a matter of fact, the Troop Captain, Miss 
Mason, and half a dozen girls had insisted 
that Tory go forth for the long hike. The 
day was a perfect midsummer day and each 
and every one of them would gladly remain 
with Kara. 

Tory had declined. In face of the argument 
that it was her duty to give the other Girl 
Scouts the opportunity to be useful to Kara, 
who was their friend as well as her own, Tory 


86 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


insisted that today she was too tired for a 
long tramp. In any case she would stay on 
at camp. Some other day she would be glad 
to change places. 

At present Edith Linder had gone the half 
mile or more away to the little House in the 
Woods on an errand. She had promised to 
help prepare supper before the camping party 
could return. Finding herself in need of sup- 
plies she had explained to Tory and slipped 
away. Kara would not be apt to awaken soon 
and there appeared no immediate need for her. 

In truth Tory was glad to be alone for an 
hour. 

In a short time the sun would set. 

Weary Tory believed she wanted an hour 
for quiet thinking. 

Earlier in the day Teresa had confessed 
that she was feeling a degree of disappoint- 
ment in the summer camp. 

Tory Drew was disappointed, but for differ- 
ent reasons. 

The past winter had been the most difficult 
she could remember. After a wandering 
existence abroad with her artist father, it had 
not been simple to find her place and to make 
friends in Westhaven. Yet she had accom- 
plished both. Her aunt. Miss Victoria Fenton, 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


87 


did not regard her with great affection, never- 
theless at least she had agreed that the younger 
Victoria had become shghtly less trying. And 
she and her uncle, Mr. Richard Fenton, at 
first not liking each other, had become devoted 
comrades. 

Save for his interest and aid the summer 
camp, now surrounding her like a quiet 
guard, would never have been a possibility. 

Growing a little restless, Tory changed her 
position. 

Would it not have been better had she gone 
on the errand to Miss Frean and asked Edith 
to watch beside Kara. Of late Kara frequently 
showed that she was weary of so much of her 
society. 

Moreover, without confessing the fact, Tory 
appreciated that she was suffering from the 
strain. She was tired and nervous oftener 
than she was accustomed to feeUng. 

A quiet talk with Memory Frean and a walk 
to the House in the Woods would have done 
her good. 

Her uncle had said that he hoped this sum- 
mer would give them an opportunity for a 
closer intimacy. He believed that her influ- 
ence would be of benefit to Tory. If their 
friendship of long ago had ended, he had not 


88 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


for that reason ceased to admire Miss Frean. 

At this moment a breeze swept through 
Beechwood Forest, setting the leaves shim- 
mering with a fairylike enchantment. 

An instant Tory was aroused from her 
reflections. 

She was alone with no one to disturb her. 
Why not slip into her tent and find her sketch 
book? She probably would have time for a 
sketch before Kara awakened or Edith Linder 
returned. 

Unaware of her own action, Tory shook her 
head. 

She was too tired to sketch, and worse, felt 
no inspiration or desire. Next to her grief 
over Kara was her disappointment in regard 
to her summer’s work. 

Miss Mason had agreed that she might try 
for a Merit Badge as an artist during their 
camp. Surely she had sufficient talent to 
have won it. She had looked forward to hav- 
ing an arm filled with worth-while sketches 
of her outdoor summer to show her father 
upon his return to Westhaven. 

Now she must face the fact that she would 
have not a single drawing she would care to 
submit to competent judges, not even a sketch 
she would be willing to have her father 
criticize. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


89 


Of course she would be glad to have sacri- 
ficed her summer to Kara, if Kara had revealed 
a moderate amount of appreciation. 

In truth Kara was not even as fond of her 
as she had been in the past before she had 
been able to show her devotion. To do one’s 
best and always seem inadequate is not a 
condition many persons can face cheerfully. 

Inside, in the room beyond the open door, 
the other girl stirred, and Tory glanced in. 

On a cot by a window Kara lay asleep. 

The room had changed since her coming. 
Formerly it had been the Girl Scout living 
room. Here they had eaten their meals and 
held their Scout meetings on the occasional 
rainy evenings when their more splendid out- 
door meeting place had been less comfortable. 

This could still be managed if Kara were 
well enough or in the mood to take part. But 
always her comfort and her wish were first. 

Thrown over her at this moment was a gay 
woolen cover made by her own Troop of Girl 
Scouts. During the past winter each of them, 
who had not known how previously, had 
learned to knit as a part of their home train- 
ing. The suggestion had come from Teresa 
that each girl knit a square of her favorite 
color, and thus a rainbow scarf might shed 
good fortune upon Kara. 


90 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


So far, Tory decided, with a sudden trem- 
bling of her lips, the promise had not been 
fulfilled. 

Kara was no happier in body or mind since 
her return to the camp. 

Yet the room in which she was lying at 
present asleep was altogether charming. 

The sunhght, fading into its last brilliancy, 
shone through pale yellow curtains. On the 
mantel above the fireplace was a brown bowl 
of yellow wild flowers. Perched above, with 
wings outspread, was Mr. Richard Fenton’s 
last gift to the evergreen cabin, the stuffed 
figure of an American eagle. A splendid 
specimen, one instinctively looked up toward 
it on entering the room. Over it were the 
words, '^The Girl Scouts of the Eagle’s Wing 
in Beechwood Forest.” 

A table drawn up near the couch was filled 
with flowers, books, magazines and small 
articles. Scarcely a day passed that Kara did 
not receive a gift of some kind, not only from 
the Girl Scouts and their families, but from 
her many friends in Westhaven. 

Yet, apparently, Kara no longer cared for 
what in the past would have given her happi- 
ness. At one time she had been glad to feel 
that Westhaven did not regard her merely as 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


91 


a little waif who had been left upon their 
bounty and brought up at the ^^Gray House/' 
She was the ward of the entire village. Now 
this was of no further concern to her. 

Tiptoeing softly into the room, Tory closed 
a window without arousing the sleeper. 

Strange to think that Kara long ago had 
slept in this same room and been rescued by a 
stranger! What would be her emotions if 
she knew that in this house, tumbled down 
and uncared for, she had been deserted as a 
baby? 

Tory decided that she must remember to 
warn Mr. Jeremy Hammond, who had rescued 
Kara, never to recall the fact to her mind. 
Dr. McClain had agreed that for the present 
this would be wisest, as in no possible way 
must Kara be excited or depressed. 

True, Mr. Hammond had never been to see 
Kara since her accident! He must have 
learned of her misfortune. A large box of 
roses had arrived at the “Gray House.” Yet 
neither Mr. or Mrs. Hammond nor Lucy had 
come personally to inquire. 

At the thought Tory's face flushed with 
annoyance. Mr. Hammond had not been 
attracted by Kara when he appeared at the 
orphan asylum with the idea of adopting the 


92 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


little girl he had discovered long ago. Instead 
he had chosen Lucy, the httle girl whom Kara 
had cared for as if she were a small sister. 
Lucy, at least, should have paid daily visits to 
see if she could be useful. Possibly she had 
forgotten Kara amid her new wealth. 

“Well, she would never forget or be unfaith- 
ful,’' Tory thought with a sudden intensity of 
feeling characteristic of her. Some day Kara 
must surely find someone or something to 
compensate her for her difficult girlhood! 

If only there might be a treasure, some for- 
tunate inheritance, hidden away in the little 
evergreen house, left there by the parents 
who seemed to have cared less than nothing 
for their baby! 

At her own dreaming Tory smiled. She 
then tiptoed out of the room again. The 
place had been thoroughly searched for infor- 
mation and not a Une had been discovered 
save the shp of paper with Kara’s name, 
“Katherine Moore.” 

Outside on the veranda Tory did not sit 
down at once. 

She could see some one approaching toward 
the camp down the long path. Edith Linder 
was probably returning. It was, perhaps, as 
well. Miss Mason, the Troop Captain, insisted 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


that the girls never be at camp or in the woods 
alone. 

If Miss Frean knew she would doubtless 
come back with Edith. Tory hoped this might 
be true. There were so many questions to 
discuss. Kara had proposed an interesting 
suggestion earlier in the day. Evan Phillips^ 
mother might be induced to teach their own 
little group of Girl Scouts outdoor dancing. 
Where could there be a more perfect oppor- 
tunity than here in the heart of Beechwood 
Forest in their own ^^Choros/’ or dancing- 
ground? 

The figure approaching was not a girFs. 

At some distance off Tory recognized Lance 
McClain. He was strolling calmly along in 
the most unconcerned fashion, a book open 
in his hand. Now and then he glanced down 
and read a few lines. 

Not the slightest intimation did his manner 
reveal that he ought to regard himself as an 
unwelcome visitor in the Girl Scout camp. 

Tory had not seen him since the morning 
when he had aided in bringing Kara home. 
On that occasion he had been told that the 
girls were still undecided whether they wished 
to have anything further to do with Lance’s 
group of Boy Scouts during their summer 
camping season. 


94 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Hello, Tory; I hoped I would find you 
outdoors,” he called out amiably when within 
a few yards of the evergreen house. 

Tory ran down the steps. 

^^Don^t make a racket, Lance! What in 
the world are you doing here? Kara is asleep 
and I am on guard. You know you are not 
supposed to come to our camp. I feel as 
people used to in the old fairy stories and 
legends. Somehow I must try to save you 
from having your head chopped off, or some 
other fearful end. I do consider you deserve 
it, but somehow it would be unpleasant.” 

“Your gentleness and kindness of heart 
overpower me. Oh, Victoria of Beechwood 
Forest,” Lance answered. He bowed in the 
graceful fashion that for some unexplainable 
reason often aggravated Tory, and Dorothy 
and Donald McClain; Lance’s own sister and 
brother. 

Lance was too unlike other boys at times 
not to be trying. 

“Come down to the shore of the lake with 
me, won’t you Princess Nausicaa?” he de- 
manded. “See how well I remember the 
name some one bestowed upon you when I 
was here before. I have another reason for 
recalling it. I shall explain in another instant 
if you will be so good as to listen. 


m BEECHWOOD FOREST 


95 


^^What a pleasure to find you alone! Of 
course I expected it. I can’t say I should 
have cared to enter this particular camp if I 
had been forced to face the entire troop of 
disapproving maiden Scouts. Still, there is 
something I am anxious to have brought to 
your attention. Come along, Tory.” 

The girl shook her head. 

“Not so far away as the lake, Lance. I’ll 
come to the big beech here near the cabin. 
I’ll know then if Kara wakes and wants me, 
yet we wiU not be near enough to disturb her.” 

Under the deep green shelter Tory looked 
more searchingly at her companion. 

“You say you expected to find me at camp 
with most of the other girls away. Did you 
see them on their hike or did Dorothy tell 
you we were planning an all-day tramp?” 

Lance shook his head. 

“No, I have seen no one and heard nothing 
from Dorothy. If I have a secret source of 
information isn’t that my affair? In any 
case you would not have me betray another?” 

Tory sighed. 

“Oh, for goodness sake, Lance, do say what 
you intend to say in a straightforward fashion. 
I wish you were more like Don. One can 
always understand and depend upon Don. 


96 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Then, when she saw Lance flush, Tory 
regretted her speech. 

am all too accustomed to that remark, 
Tory. I assure you that if I have seen any 
one from your camp or received any informa- 
tion concerning you, it is not because I 
desired to be disagreeable. I was hoping I 
might be allowed to extend you the olive 
branch. 

^'In fact, I have the olive branch with me. 
It is hidden away in my book.^^ 


CHAPTER IX 


THE ODYSSEY ^ i 

T ory took the book into her own 
hands. Sitting down on the ground, 
she opened the leaves carefully. 
Nothing to suggest an olive branch met her 
gaze, not a pressed leaf or a flower which might 
have served as a symbol. 

Seated beside her, Lancets thin face, with 
its tanned skin and humorous brown eyes, 
peered eagerly over her shoulder. 

Tory shook her head. 

^‘Explain yourself again, Lance. What has 
this book, the story of the wanderings of the 
Greek hero, Odysseus, after the Trojan war, 
to do with ending the feud between your troop 
of Boy Scouts and our own of girls? Tory 
patiently inquired. know you have some 
idea in mind, but it takes a cleverer person 
than I to fathom it.^’ 

Gently Lance removed his book from the 
girFs clasp. 

Listen, Tory, for a few moments while I 
read to you. Then Vll tell you what I mean 

7 ( 97 ) 


98 THE GIRL SCOUTS 

and ask for your help if you are willing to 
give it. You look tired and it may rest you.’' 

Gladly Tory submitted. Clasping her hands 
together in her lap, she let her eyes wander 
from their first glance at the little log cabin 
with its bright covering of evergreens on and 
away into the deeper green of Beechwood 
Forest, now shadowy with the approach of 
evening. 

Lance could be agreeable when he liked. 
The winter before, when first she had been 
introduced to Dorothy McClain’s six brothers, 
she had hked Lance better than the others. 
She even had preferred him to Don, his twin 
brother, whom people in Westhaven insisted 
was the handsomest member of the family. 

During an illness of Lance’s she had been 
able to save him from being seriously burned. 
Afterwards, curiously, they became less friendly. 
In any case Tory knew that she at present 
preferred Don. Not only was he handsomer 
and stronger and more straightforward, he 
showed a sincerer liking for her. 

^^So there the stout-hearted Odysseus lay 
and slept, worn out with all his toil. But 
meanwhile Athena went to the Sea-Kings’ 
city, up to the palace of their ruler, the wise 
Alcinous and into the beautiful chamber 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


99 


where his daughter lay asleep, the young 
princess, Nausicaa, fair as the Immortals. 
On either side of the threshold two maidens 
were sleeping, as lovely as the Graces, and 
the ghttering doors were shut. But the God- 
dess floated through them hke a breath of 
wind up to the head of the couch, and spoke 
to Nausicaa in a dream. She seemed to her 
one of her dear companions, the daughter of 
Dymas, the sailor.’’ 

As Lance continued reading Tory did not 
hsten attentively. He had a pleasant, quiet 
voice that shed a restful influence upon her 
as he had hoped. 

Tory was not especially fond of reading, not 
to the extent that her uncle, Mr. Richard 
Fenton would have hked. He spent the greater 
part of his time in his library at the old 
Fenton house in Westhaven. 

' Miss Frean in her own little House in the 
Woods gently reproached Tory now and then 
for her lack of interest in books. Perhaps 
neither one of them could understand that 
pictures were what she cared for intensely. 
The pictures need not of necessity be of the 
character that hang upon walls. Tory was 
seeing pictures at this moment which were 
affording her the deepest pleasure. 


100 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


If only she had her neglected sketch book 
in her hands! 

Bent over his book Lancets head would 
have made an interesting sketch even if she 
were unable to obtain a satisfactory likeness. 

Then Tory forgot Lance and the outward 
objects surrounding her. The words he was 
reading aloud were creating a beautiful image 
in her mind. She seemed able to see ^^The 
Princess Nausicaa, fair as the Immortals.’’ 

Her companion read on: 

^^So the night passed away, and the young 
dawn appeared on her glorious throne and 
awakened the princess.” 

With a bang Lance closed his book. 

^^Stop dreaming, Tory Drew. You scarcely 
know I am present and I want you to be par- 
ticularly sensible and attentive to what I 
am going to say. I suppose you know I have 
been reading the story of the Odyssey, since 
you told me Miss Frean had read it to you 
early in the summer.” 

Tory laughed. For aU his quietness and 
apparent gentleness Lance’s nature was more 
domineering than most persons appreciated. 
Their friends believed that Don ruled in the 
intimate friendship between the two brothers. 
More often than not they were mistaken. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


101 


“We have been having a great time at our 
Scout camp, Tory. Hope you girls have had 
as good! I have enjoyed the summer a lot 
better than I expected. I know I have 
improved in the drilhng and a few other things. 
Lucky for me that I am fond of a few outdoor 
sports; keeps up my end in the Scout profi- 
ciency tests 

“All right, Lance, but why don’t you come 
to the point? I know it is hard for you to 
have to give your time and energy to so many 
things and never be allowed to study the 
music you love. But then, of course, your 
father knows best. I can understand his not 
wishing you to be a musician,” Tory added 
hastily, fearing she might appear to be criti- 
cising the doctor whom she loved and admired. 
“I can appreciate your father saying that 
with six sons and a daughter and he only a 
small town physician, he never could afford 
to let you have the musical education you 
would require.” 

“All right, Tory, no use going into that 
subject now. I have heard all that a good 
many times. What we were talking about was 
the Scout organizations, yours and mine. I 
think they are specially good for us; for you^ 
because you are an only girl and kind of 


102 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


spoiled by pretty nearly everybody. Good 
for me because I am a selfish fellow who hkes 
to be alone unless I can hang around with 
Don. We get the combination of freedom and 
discipline we both need. 

^'At first this summer I thought the other 
fellows were not going to have much use for 
my queer notions. I thought they stood for 
me because Don is very nearly the most popu- 
lar Scout in camp. I was kind of pleased 
when they chose me to come over to camp and 
extend the oHve branch to you Girl Scouts.^’ 

The thin, brown face was now eager and 
glowing, but Tory remained as completely 
mystified. 

Remember the tableaux your troop of 
Girl Scouts gave in Westhaven this spring? 
They were a great success and I, for one, shall 
never forget how you looked as Joan of Arc. 

^^Ever since our Boy Scout Troop has been 
trying to get up something as good. This 
summer we decided would be our best chance 
with all the fellows together and our officers 
and several members of our Scout Council 
staying at camp.’^ 

^^Yes,’’ Tory replied, beginning to be anx- 
ious to go back to Kara and wishing Lance 
would finish what he was endeavoring to say. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


im 


The other Girl Scouts might come back to 
camp at any moment. She did not wish to 
be discovered seated under a beech tree con- 
versing with Lance McClain, whose presence 
at their camp was neither invited nor desired. 
Later she would be able to explain, but for the 
moment she would not enjoy the position. 

Lance smiled. 

“I appreciate you are in a hurry, Tory, as 
well as the other things you are thinking. 
You need not believe I wish to be discovered 
here until you have had a chance to make 
things clear to Miss Mason and the Girl 
Scouts. But I want to put my proposition 
to you before you have your outdoor meeting 
to-night to decide whether you wish to make 
friends once more.’’ 

Again Tory was puzzled to understand how 
Lance could know so much of their daily 
program. His next suggestion drove all 
other thoughts from her mind. 

“To get to the point: After a lot of read- 
ing and discussion we have concluded to 
close our summer holiday with an outdoor 
pageant. I suppose one should call it a 
pageant. We are not going to do exactly 
what other people have been doing all sum- 
mer. We don’t intend to present New England 


104 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


history. After the big pageant at Plymouth 
Rock, it would take a good deal of nerve to 
try to imitate it. Se we have decided to 
present the ^Wanderings of Odysseus.’ We 
are not sure as to details. Our plan is to have 
a series of Greek tableaux that will tell the 
story and have some one person read certain 
of the lines aloud.” 

Tory leaned forward. 

She appeared interested but doubtful. 

^^That is a pretty big idea, Lance. Do you 
feel you will be equal to it? Presenting an 
American pageant is one thing, but gracious! 
who knows what Greek pictures should be 
like? 

^^Of course, I am sure the girls will be 
delighted if there is anything we can do to 
be useful. You were awfully kind about 
helping us,” Tory continued, feeling she had 
not appeared as enthusiastic as Lance might 
have hoped. “But where is the olive branch 
I am to offer the girls to-night when we have 
our meeting to decide whether we are willing 
to make friends?” 

Lance flushed and looked uncomfortable. 

“The olive branch is what I have been 
talking about, Tory. The Boy Scouts want 
you girls to take part in our Greek pageant. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


105 


We want you to take the feminine roles. 
Now, don’t say no, right off, Tory, and don’t 
be so discouraging as you seem to feel. I 
confess I am counting on your influence in 
more ways than one. The truth is the sug- 
gestion came from me, and I have had a hard 
enough time trying to make the other fellows 
see the thing as I do. Suppose we don’t 
accomplish anything remarkable, it is fun to 
have had a try. And it is worth while trying 
to make people see things and think things 
that have had to do with other nations at 
other times in the world’s history. I want 
you to talk to your uncle, Mr. Fenton, and 
to ask his advice before we go much further. 
I suppose you know he is a Greek scholar.” 

During Lance’s speech Tory’s expression 
had become more sympathetic and convinced. 

Perhaps the idea is possible, Lance. In 
any case, I am delighted to help all I can by 
talking to Uncle Richard and using whatever 
influence I have with the girls. Only one 
thing, you must not count on my taking part. 
I could not give up the time from being with 
Kara.” 

“I understand, Tory; we’ll see how it works 
out. I was thinking of Kara as I came over 
here to talk to you. A lot better than a good 


106 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


many other people I believe I can understand 
Kara’s present state of mind. You see, I 
have been sick myself. Kara will brace up 
once she gets hold of herself. Don’t you take 
anything she says or does too seriously.” 

Lance and Tory got up and began walking 
back toward the evergreen cabin. 

^^You know if this thing goes through I 
believe it may be a help to Kara. She isn’t 
strong enough for a lot of excitement, but it 
will give her an outside interest. Right now 
she needs to think of something beside herself. 

suppose I ought to have strength of 
character enough not to mention it. But 
there are days when the fact that I am never 
going to have a chance to be a great musician 
gets hold of me, and I know there is nobody 
on earth then who is as disagreeable as I can 
be. I don’t see why Kara cannot play some 
part in the tableaux. She could be seated in 
her chair as if it were a kind of throne,” Lance 
concluded. 

The girl looked at him gravely. 

^^You can be a comfort when you wish to 
be, Lance, and you are right, you can be 
dreadfully disagreeable. Only you are not 
very often. 

Would your telhng me how you know 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


107 


what we are doing at our Girl Scout camp 
involve some one else?^^ 

Lance nodded. 

Yes, so I decline to mention names. Now, 
don’t be stupid and think I mean anything 
serious. If two people meet they have a right 
to speak to each other. Good-by, I must be 
off. I think I hear the Girl Scouts returning. 
Do the best you can for us.” 


CHAPTER X 


CONSULTATIONS AND DECISIONS 

the close of their evening^s discus- 



sion the Girl Scouts had not finally 


^ decided whether to accept or reject 
the invitation tendered them by Tory Drew. 

They would be friends again. This opinion 
was at last unanimous. But to take part in a 
Greek pageant which would require a sacrifice 
of time and energy from the routine of their 
camp fife? This represented a deeper problem. 

There must be a longer period for consulta- 
tion. The advice of their Girl Scout Council 
must be asked. Upon this, Miss Mason, the 
Troop Captain, insisted, before even express- 
ing her own point of view. 

By the following afternoon she and Tory 
and Edith Linder started out for the little 
House in the Woods to talk over the idea with 
Memory Frean, who represented one of their 
chief sources of wisdom. 

The summer afternoon was a perfect one. 
Illimitably beautiful pale dappled gray clouds 
filled the summer sky, shutting out the fierce 
rays of the sun. 


( 108 ) 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


109 


As they hoped, from a little distance off 
the three newcomers discovered Miss Frean 
busy in her garden. 

Tory saw her first. She made a motion with 
her hand to suggest that they approach softly 
without being observed. 

The older woman wore no hat, and a simple 
outdoor cotton dress of pale gray, with a deep 
blue scarf over her shoulders. 

Her hair was more carefully arranged than 
usual in the shining, heavy brown braids Tory 
so often had admired. 

In truth Memory Frean had begun to take 
more interest in her personal appearance since 
her meeting with Victoria Drew on the wintry 
road. I So long she had lived alone in her little 
House in the Woods, with her outdoor inter- 
ests in the summer time and her books in 
winter, that she had grown too careless. 

The meeting with Tory had brought back 
old friends and memories. Tory had intro- 
duced her to the Girl Scouts of the Eagle’s 
Wing. Now, as a member of their Council, 
Memory felt as if the girls were her adopted 
daughters. 

Edith Linder had been in a measure her 
adopted daughter. She had lived for the past 
winter in the house with Miss Frean. 


110 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Now Edith uttered an exclamation of 
pleasure, which at Tory’s gesture she quickly 
subdued. 

Memory Frean was standing in the center 
of a plot of grass with her arms outstretched. 
Fluttering about her head were a family of 
wrens. Two had alighted within the palms 
of her hands and were gazing toward her 
with serious intentness. 

In a nearby tree stood a new bird house, 
which she must recently have placed in posi- 
tion, as not far off was another bird house 
smaller and shabbier. Outside the door of 
the new home a feast of bread crumbs had 
been spread. 

By and by one of the wrens flying near the 
new abode, pecked at a crumb. Something 
gave him confidence and courage. Inside the 
open door he disappeared. Instantly the 
entire family followed. 

The three visitors burst into a cry of admira- 
tion. Memory Frean came toward them, 
still with her arms outstretched. 

'^I have been expecting you all day. No 
Girl Scout has been near me since Edith came 
on a borrowing expedition late yesterday 
afternoon. If you had waited any longer I 
should have been offended. See, I have put 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


111 


on a clean dress, and the water is boiling for 
tea, and the table spread in the Shakespeare 
garden/’ 

Miss Frean led the way, with Edith and 
Tory clinging to her and Sheila Mason follow- 
ing. 

The herbs in the Shakespeare garden were 
in the perfection of bloom. In the fragrance 
of the summer air mingled the pungent odors 
of thyme and marjoram, sage and rosemary. 

A bunch of the herbs decorated the small 
round table. 

Edith Linder disappeared toward the kit- 
chen for the tea, while the three others sat 
down. 

Edith Linder has been a success as a Girl 
Scout this summer, has she not, Sheila? We 
did our best to prepare for the honor last 
winter. Edith and I realized that Tory 
opposed her joining your troop.” 

Tory flushed. 

^^Is it very kind of you. Memory Frean, 
to refer to one’s past mistakes, especially when 
I am your guest?” 

Memory Frean laid her large but beautiful 
hand, a little roughened from outdoor work, 
upon Tory Drew’s sensitive, slender one. 

suppose I should apologize to you, Tory. 


112 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


I only meant to say that I am glad you finally 
agreed to allow Edith to enter your Patrol. 
I do not beheve any of you quite reahze what 
the honor meant to her. In a brief time she 
seems to have changed more than any one 
I have ever known. She had not had much 
of a chance in the past. Occasionally last 
winter, when she was with me, she gave Tory 
the right to her prejudice.” 

The large hand had not been raised from 
the smaller one. 

Still weary, from what cause she could not 
guess, Tory felt as if the strength and vitality 
of the older woman were flowing gently into 
her. 

Scarcely listening more than was necessary 
for politeness, she leaned her head against 
her companion’s shoulder. 

believe one of the most difficult things 
in the world to realize is that when people fail 
to possess the characteristics we have agreed 
they ought to possess, the failure nearly 
always comes from lack of opportunity, not 
from choice. I don’t mean to be preaching 
truisms, I was only thinking of ‘this in con- 
nection with the Scout organizations. They 
bring . opportunities to so many who would 
have had no chance otherwise. Edith Linder 


IN BEECHWOOD FOKEST 


113 


had never had the opportunity or the spur she 
needed. Her ambition to be a good Scout 
has given her both. 

''Wake up, Tory. Are you being nice to 
Edith as you promised me to be? She likes 
and admires you, and I am sure would not 
mind my speaking of this.’’ 

"There are three girls in our summer camp 
who have the greatest personal influence over 
the others. It is interesting to watch,” Miss 
Mason remarked, smiling at the older woman. 
"Of course, under the circumstances I do not 
include Kara. Her illness makes her influence 
of a different kind at present.” 

Tory lifted her head, more interested in 
the discussion. 

"Yes, I have noticed this about Margaret 
Hale and Dorothy McClain. I am not so 
sure, I think the third girl is Joan Peters,” 
she ejaculated and relapsed into quiet again. 

The two women glanced at Tory and then 
at Edith Linder, who was at this instant 
coming across the yard with the tea. 

The two girls were an apt illustration of 
Memory Frean’s last expressed opinion. 

Edith had grown tall in the past year. Her 
features were large and a little coarse, but 
handsome in their own fashion. There was 


114 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


about her a look of capacity. If she had 
desired she could easily have hfted and car- 
ried the other girl who was nearly her own age. 
Edith’s family had been small farmers for 
generations. Tory Drew’s had been students 
and artists and writers. She had no appear- 
ance of physical strength and yet her vitality 
was probably as great. 

She looked admiringly at the other girl. 

Edith is splendid. She knows more of 
cooking and practical things than any girl 
in camp. She was trying to teach me to cook 
and we were together a good deal of the time 
before Kara’s accident. Now I see little of 
any of the other girls, although I really think 
Kara often would prefer anyone’s society to 
mine.” 

Edith was by this time engaged in pouring 
the tea. 

^^I hke to behave as if I were more at home 
in the House in the Woods than any one of 
the other Scouts,” she explained. “After all, 
I am the only one who has Hved here, although 
Tory is an older friend and my greatest rival.” 

Edith spoke as if she meant seriously what 
she was saying. Yet she spoke with entire 
good nature. 

It had been agreed not to discuss the subject 
of the pageant until her return. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


115 


The next half hour the two women and two 
girls talked of nothing else. 

believe you should speak to other mem- 
bers of the Council beside me/^ Miss Frean 
argued. ^'Mr. Fenton is fairy god-father to 
the camp in Beechwood Forest. He is Tory’s 
uncle and I think should be consulted. If 
I remember correctly he used to be a Greek 
scholar. He is not apt to have forgotten, 
and if he thinks well of the idea can be of 
great assistance.” 

Before dusk Sheila Mason and Edith Linder 
started back for camp. They left Tory to have 
supper with Miss Frean, who promised to 
bring her home later. 

The suggestion had originated with the 
Troop Captain. 

Tory protested that Kara would need her 
services and be hurt if she failed to appear. 

^No, I want Miss Frean to talk to you for 
a special reason, Tory. I am sure you will 
find that the other girls, with my help, are 
capable of caring for Kara this orie evening 
without you.” 

The little edge to Miss Mason’s speech Tory 
had never heard her use before. It left her 
flushed and silent. She remained alone in the 
Shakespeare garden while Miss Frean walked a 
few yards into the woods with her guests. 


116 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


In what fashion was she failing as a Girl 
Scout, that her Troop Captain felt compelled 
to ask some one else to lecture her? Why had 
she not told her wherein lay her fault? 

Tory found her eyes filhng with tears. She 
was glad to be for a few moments alone. Not 
often was she given to this particular form of 
weakness. She disliked it in other persons, 
but of late her nerves had been troublesome. 
Were the other Girl Scouts finding her a diffi- 
cult member of their camp group? 

By and by the older woman returned. At 
first she and Tory said nothing upon any 
intimate topic. They continued to stroll 
about the garden until dusk. 

Their supper was to be a simple meal of 
bread and mOk and fruit that would give no 
trouble. * 

Since she had begun to study and love the 
New England country this garden of Memory 
Frean’s had become of intense interest and 
affection to the young American girl who had 
spent so much of her Hfe in foreign lands. 

Within the yard and upon the border of 
the deep woods beyond she had learned the 
names of a wide variety of trees, birds and 
fiowers. She knew the differences between 
the white and black and yellow pines, the 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


117 


spruce and the cedar and the several species 
of maple trees, the ashes and the birches. 
She had learned that the beech tree is singu- 
larly arrogant and permits few other trees to 
grow inside its woods. 

At this season of the year the birds were less 
in evidence than earlier in the spring. Now, as 
darkness fell, Tory discovered that a greater 
number sang their evensong in Memory 
Frean’s garden than near their own camp in 
Beechwood Forest. True, Miss Frean made 
everything ready for their reception. 

Placed about the yard were half a dozen 
wide open bowds filled with fresh water. 

The garden boasted a hedge of currant 
and raspberry bushes at present loaded with 
ripe fruit. There were no scarecrows about 
and no one ever made an effort to drive the 
birds away, so they were accustomed to pluck- 
ing the unforbidden fruit of this garden. 

This evening Tory assisted at the daily 
scattering of crumbs. This took place when 
possible at exactly the same hour. 

Afterwards she and Memory Frean hid 
behind a shelter, where concealed they could 
watch the flight of the birds into the garden. 

Some floated in from outside, others came 
down from their nests in Miss Frean’s own 
trees to partake of her hospitality. 


118 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


This evening, appearing with the more regu- 
lar visitors, was a golden-winged warbler, 
splendid with his conspicuous yellow wing 
bars. Close behind him came a pair of tana- 
gers. 

The female Tory did not recognize until 
Memory Frean explained that she was a dull 
green olive in color, unlike her brilliant, 
scarlet-coated husband. 

In fact, Tory and Miss Frean did not go 
indoors until, from somewhere deep in the 
woods, a whippoorwill began his evening call. 

In the meantime Tory had happily forgot- 
ten there was any subject to be discussed 
between herself and her friend that might not 
be an altogether happy one. 

She did think of it, however, while she 
was eating her supper on a small table in 
Memory Frean^s living-room, drawn up before 
a small fire. 

The night was not particularly cool, yet 
the fire was not uncomfortable, and had been 
lighted at Tory^s request. 

The older woman had finished eating and 
sat holding an open magazine in her hands. 

Tory’s eyes studied the room, with which 
she i now had grown familiar, with the same 
curiosity and pleasure. The room was so 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


119 


simple and odd. The hundreds of old books 
in their worn coverings, only a few new ones 
among them, lined the walls. By the window, 
the couch was covered with an old New 
England quilt, of great value, if Tory had 
reahzed the fact. The furniture was so inex- 
pensive, the little pine table before her, the 
larger one with Memory Frean^s lamp and 
books and a bowl of flowers, the chairs and 
long bench. 

What a contrast to her own austere and 
handsome home in Westhaven, now the 
property of her uncle and aunt, Mr. Richard 
Fenton and Miss Victoria Fenton. If Memory 
Frean and her uncle had not ceased to care 
for each other perhaps there would have been 
no little House in the Woods. 

Tory finished her supper and her reflections. 

‘^Memory Frean, what is it Miss Mason 
wished you to talk about to me? How am I 
failing as a Girl Scout?’’ 

When no one else was present she used the 
older woman’s first name, loving its dignity 
and soft inflections. 

Memory Frean put down her magazine. 

You are not failing, Tory, not in one sense. 
You are trying to accompHsh too much. This 
is, of course, another form of failure. Take 


120 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


your dishes in to the kitchen and then sit here 
on the stool by me” 

Five minutes after she continued: 

^^You see, Tory, it is with Kara you are 
making a mistake. You are doing yourself 
and Kara both injustice. Miss Mason tells 
me she has talked to you and that the other 
Girl Scouts have protested, yet you remain 
selfish about Kara.^^ 

The girl made no answer. If she did not 
like the accusation, she did not at present 
deny it. 

From' the first you have been sentimental 
over your friendship with Katherine Moore. 
Kara first made a strong appeal to you when 
you were lonely and antagonistic toward 
your new life in a small New England town. 
This drew her closer to you than had you 
grown up together in ordinary girl fashion. 
Besides, you are romantic, Tory. You respond 
to the people who call forth that side of you. 
The mystery surrounding poor Kara has fas- 
cinated you. The fact that she knew nothing 
of her parents has made you feel that you 
could be more to her than had she enjoyed 
the family affection other girls receive. I 
believe in your heart of hearts you have 
planned some day to be Kara’s fairy god- 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


121 


mother and make up to her for what she has 
failed to receive/’ 

'^Well, if I have, is it so wicked of me?” 
Tory demanded. 

Memory Frean smiled. 

am afraid so, Tory dear, although many 
wise persons may not agree with me. I don’t 
think it often is allowed us to play special 
Providence to other people. Since Kara’s 
accident more than ever have you been trying 
to accomplish this for her. You have been 
wearing yourself out and Kara feels this and 
cannot enjoy it. In their own ways the other 
Girl Scouts resent your belief that Kara must 
always prefer you to be with her and to care 
for her. She was their friend and they knew 
and loved her before she came into your life. 

Together you agreed to bring Kara to 
camp and to see if you could make things 
easier for her. The other girls want their 
chance too, Tory. Don’t you realize, dear, 
that you are growing tired out from too much 
responsibility. You can’t help Kara if you 
are tired and nervous and, though you may 
not confess it to yourself, a little resentful of 
your own disappointment in the summer. 

Remember you told me what a lot of 
outdoor sketching you intended to do. Your 


122 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


father had given you permission to work at 
your painting and drawing in the summer 
time, provided you gave your time and energy 
to your school in the winter. You have not 
shown me a new drawing since Kara’s accident. 

“Then, don’t you suppose the other girls 
miss having you with them on some of their 
excursions? Martha Greaves, the English 
Girl Guide, must have felt many times that 
you have been neglecting her. She is a 
stranger and in a way has the right to depend 
upon you. Am I reproaching you for too 
much all at once, Tory?” 

The girl arose up from her low stool and 
stood with her hands clasped and a frown on 
her forehead. 

“You have said a good deal. Memory Frean. 
If you don’t mind, suppose we start back to 
camp.” 

Tory made no other reply. After a little she 
and Memory Frean were walking along the 
path that led in the direction of Beechwood 
Forest. 

Tory was no more fond of criticism than 
most persons, and less accustomed to it. 
Her mother had died when she was a small 
girl, and her father had been her devoted 
friend and admirer, rarely her judge. To her 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


123 


aunt Miss Victoria Fenton^s efforts at dis- 
cipline Tory had yielded little. Her uncle, 
Mr. Richard Fenton, made no attempt at 
disciphne, but had been sympathetic toward 
her after the birth of a rare understanding 
between them. 

To-night Tory was angry with the person 
whom, next to Kara, she had beUeved her 
dearest friend in Westhaven. 

Mistakes she may have made in her devo- 
tion to Kara. But Memory Frean, Sheila 
Mason, her Troop Captain, and her own 
Girl Scouts might have appreciated the situa- 
tion. 

She had been with Kara when the accident 
took place that might result in the tragedy 
of her hfe. Dr. McClain and the two surgeons 
with whom he consulted could only say there 
was a possibility of a future recovery. But 
before anything could be hoped for Kara 
must reach a happier state of mind and body. 

Never had there been any pretence that 
she and Kara were not more intimate and 
devoted than any other two girls in their 
Troop, save perhaps Dorothy McClain and 
Louise Miller. 

Then what was one to do but give Kara all 
that one possessed? 


124 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


However, if Kara were wearying of this 
and really preferred the other girls, Tory 
appreciated that she was probably being a 
nuisance. She would not speak of it to 
Memory Frean or Miss Mason, but in the 
future Kara should not be so bored by her 
society. 

Walking on together through the woods, 
once Memory Frean attempted to put her 
arm inside Tory’s. Quietly Tory drew away. 

The dusk was deepening. After a time 
footsteps behind them could be heard. It was 
as if some one were following them. 

A screech owl called and startled her; Tory 
had a sudden attack of nerves; running ahead 
a few yards, she stumbled. The footsteps 
were coming nearer. 

Memory Frean put an arm about her. 

Stand still, Tory. Let us wait here and 
see who is approaching.” 


CHAPTER XI 


OUT OF THE PAST 

HE stranger was a middle-aged man 



with iron-gray hair. He was carrying 


his hat in his hand and enjoying the 
beauty and fragrance of the late evening in 
the woods. 

As Tory rushed toward him, Miss Frean 
stepped back into a deeper shadow. 

The newcomer was Tory^s uncle, Mr. 
Richard Fenton. 

^^How stupid of me to have been fright- 
ened!’’ she exclaimed. have been taking 
supper with Miss Frean and she is walking 
back to camp with me. You were coming to 
camp to see us?” 

Mr. Fenton agreed, walking forward to 
speak to Memory Frean. Except for an occa- 
sional meeting upon the streets of Westhaven, 
and one or two brief conversations with 
regard to the Girl Scout camp in Beechwood 
Forest, they had not seen each other in many 
years. 

To-night in the depth of the woods, with 


( 125 ) 


126 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Tory walking between them, they talked as 
if neither of them recalled any past intimacy. 

'T have been a little worried about you, 
Tory,^’ Mr. Fenton said finally. ^^You have 
not been in town to see me in a number of 
days. I thought it was agreed that we were 
to see each other once a week.’^ 

Tory nodded. 

^'Yes, I have missed you dreadfully, but I 
have been so busy. I thought if you became 
very lonely you would come and find me,” 
she announced, with the familiarity of a 
dehghtful intimacy. 

By and by when Miss Frean and Mr. Fenton 
continued talking, the barrier between them 
increasing, Toiy scarcely listened, thinking 
their conversation not particularly entertain- 
ing. 

They were merely discussing the weather 
and the scenery. 

In another quarter of an hour the lights of 
the camp showed nearby. Darkness had not 
completely descended. Outdoors one could 
still see one’s way. 

The chief lights appeared inside the ever- 
green cabin, while in front of the door stood 
a large automobile. 

Fearing that Kara had grown unexpectedly 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


127 


worse, Tory darted away from her compan- 
ions and into the cabin. 

The car she saw was not Dr. McClain^s. 

Entering the room, notwithstanding the 
lateness of the hour, she found it filled with 
people. 

Kara sat in the center in her wheeled chair. 
She looked pale but excited and interested. 

Three visitors were standing near her. They 
were Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Hammond and 
the httle girl, Lucy Martin, whom they had 
adopted some months ago. 

In the years at the old Gray House on the 
hill in Westhaven Lucy had been Kara’s 
special charge. 

If Tory had been fascinated by the little 
girl’s extraordinary beauty in the past, she 
was more startled to-night. The room was 
lighted only by candles and a single large 
lamp under a yeUow shade. 

Lucy wore a pale yellow dress of some filmy, 
soft material and a large hat circled with a 
wreath of flowers. 

She had removed her hat and held it as 
one would a large basket. Her dark hair made 
a stiff aureole about her delicately cut face 
with its pointed chin, large briUiantly black 
eyes and full red Hps. 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


ns 

Then Tory was both startled and repelled 
by the younger girPs expression. 

She was staring at Kara with no suggestion 
of sympathy or affection; instead, she looked 
shocked and frightened and even disdainful. 

Kara was extending her hands toward the 
little girl with more animation and pleasure 
than Tory had seen her reveal since her acci- 
dent. 

And actually, with a faint shudder, Lucy 
was drawing away. 

An impulse to seize the little girl by the 
shoulders and forcibly thrust her out of the 
evergreen cabin assailed Tory. 

She moved forward. In the meantime Mr. 
and Mrs. Hammond, becoming aware of 
Lucy^s behavior, were endeavoring to conceal 
her rudeness. 

^^Kara, Lucy has been insisting each day 
that we bring her to see you. We did not 
know at first that you had gone from the 
Gray House. Afterwards Mr. Hammond was 
away for a short time and we were waiting for 
him,^’ Mrs. Hammond remarked, speaking 
hurriedly but with extreme graciousness. 

She was a pretty, exquisitely dressed woman 
of about thirty years with light brown hair 
and eyes. She appeared an agreeable society 
woman but without any especial force of 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


129 


character. Evidently if she cared a great 
deal for Lucy, the little girl in time would 
have small difficulty in having her own way. 

This would not be equally true with Mr. 
Hammond. 

At present he was divided by annoyance 
with his adopted daughter and a kind of 
puzzled curiosity. 

He was staring about the gay room filled 
with girls and then at the figure in the wheeled 
chair. 

Kara appeared to be interested in no one 
save Lucy. 

Now as the child shrank away from her, 
her thin hands dropped in her lap, her face 
looked whiter and her gray eyes with the 
heavy dark lashes grew sadder and more 
wistful. 

A little murmur, not actually voiced and 
yet capable of being heard, ran through the 
room. 

This time Lucy must have understood the 
antagonism among the group of Girl Scouts 
that her manner had created. 

At one time, and only a few months before, 
Kara had been everything to her, sister and 
nurse and friend. A few months of wealth 
and she seemed completely spoiled. 


130 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


“You have many friends, Kara, but if 
there is anything Mr. Hammond and I could 
possibly do for you, you have only to let us 
know,’’ Mrs. Hammond suggested at this 
moment, not very tactfully. 

“You are very kind, but there is nothing 
to be done,” Kara returned coldly. 

Apparently she had lost all interest in her 
guests, now that Lucy had so utterly for- 
gotten the old days at the Gray House on 
the hill. She always had been an odd little 
creature, passionate, self willed and self 
seeking. Still, Kara had never doubted her 
affection. 

Not yet eight o’clock and Kara not expected 
to retire until nine, nevertheless Tory looked 
about the room in search of Miss Mason. 
Kara was bein^ wearied. Better the room 
full of people be asked to go outdoors. They 
could talk on in the deepening dusk. 

At the open door Sheila Mason was talking 
to Miss Frean and Mr. Richard Fenton. At 
the moment she was not thinking of Kara and 
the three other visitors. 

Trying to make up her mind to speak to 
Mi*, and Mrs. Hammond herself, Tory saw 
that Mr. Hammond suddenly appeared rest- 
less and at the same time absorbed in thought. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


131 


See here, Miss Kara, I wonder if you would 
like me to tell you something? I am not per- 
fectly sure and perhaps have not the right to 
speak. Yet after all I am pretty well con- 
vinced that I am not making a mistake and 
you cannot fail to be interested. You need 
things to interest you these days, don^t you?’^ 

Mr. Hammond spoke abruptl}^ Tory con- 
sidered that his manner was kinder and he 
showed more interest in Kara than upon the 
day when he had come to the old Gray House 
to seek the httle girl he had rescued years 
before. Then he had been fascinated by 
Lucy and Kara had been disregarded. 

Kara looked up now with slightly more 
animation. 

^^Yes, I do need something to interest me 
these days, Mr. Hammond. I am afraid you 
will find me pretty difficult. Only a few weeks 
ago I cared so intensely for our summer camp 
in Beechwood Forest and every one of our Girl 
Scout occupations that nothing else appeared 
of the slightest importance. Now when 
everyone is so good to me I don^t seem inter- 
ested in anything. There are so many Scout 
subjects I could study when I have so much 
time and I donT care to take the trouble. 
I really am stronger perhaps than I pretend 
to be.’’ 


132 


THE GmL SCOUTS 


Kara’s tone was so unhappy and listless 
that Mr. Hammond’s agreeable face clouded. 

Your state of mind is due to the fact that 
you have not recovered from the shock of 
your fall. You won’t feel like that always, 
sure not to, a girl with the courage and good 
sense you have always revealed. Still, what 
I am going to tell you is obliged to stir you 
up. I don’t believe you will object to the 
other Girl Scouts hearing what I tell you. 
You are such devoted friends. 

^^Ever since I entered this pretty room I 
have experienced an odd sensation connected 
with it. Somehow it seemed associated with 
you. This may not appear remarkable, the 
room is now your sanctuary and I am sure 
everything in it is for your service. But that 
is not what I have in mind. 

‘^1 was haunted by an almost forgotten 
impression. As I drove up to the cabin this 
afternoon, I felt that I had been in this 
vicinity before. Here something unusual had 
taken place which had left a strong impression 
upon me. I felt this more keenly when I 
entered this room, although I never beheld 
any other room so gay and pretty and fiUed 
with so many girls. 

^^The room was not always like this, Kara. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


133 


You Girl Scouts must have seen the room a 
little as I beheld it a number of years ago, 
when you chose this spot for your summer 
camping grounds. 

^^Did I not once confide to you, Kara, that 
I discovered a tiny httle girl in a deserted 
farmhouse when I was a young man, riding 
along a lane in this neighborhood? It looked 
more like an abandoned farm in those days to 
a man who knew extraordinarily httle about 
farms. Perhaps the httle house was never 
anything more than a cabin in the woods, 
with farmlands in the neighborhood. If so, 
they have vanished. Do you recaU, Kara, the 
httle girl I discovered and who she afterwards 
turned out to be?’^ 

At last Tory Drew felt her senses returning, 
and at the same time an impulse to action. 
During Mr. Hammond’s rambling story she 
had remained quiet, hstening and yet all the 
time knowing its conclusion. 

Previously Dr. McClain had impressed 
upon her the fact that Kara had been found 
in the httle house in which she was hving at 
present. If Mr. Hammond had once called 
the cabin a farmhouse. Dr. McClain had 
always been certain of its identity. 

It was the doctor’s opinion that Kara must 


134 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


not for the present be excited or disturbed by 
any reference to this fact. 

At last Tory was aware that she should 
have spoken sooner, that any protest from 
her at present would come too late. 

With all her listlessness vanished Kara was 
leaning forward, her eyes on the speaker, 
while the other Girl Scouts appeared almost 
equally interested. 


CHAPTER XII 


RETROSPECTION 

N OW that I look back, the room seems 
to have been extraordinarily clean 
under the circumstances, although 
it was bare and poor,’’ Mr. Hammond con- 
tinued. There was just a bed and some 
chairs and a table. You were lying on the 
bed, Kara, and if you had objected to being 
left alone, you were perfectly agreeable and 
sweet tempered after I made your acquaint- 
ance. I remember you were extremely amiable 
during our ride together into Westhaven. 
You gave me an impression which I still 
carry with me that you would meet most 
situations with grace and good sense.” 

Mr. Hammond began wandering about the 
room. He appeared embarrassed by the 
intensity of Kara’s attitude and the convic- 
tion that possibly he had not chosen a wise 
time or place for his revelation, 
r In fact, he had no intention of speaking of 
the matter at all. Surprise at finding himself 
a visitor to the girl in the same spot where he 

(13S) 


136 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


had discovered her as a baby had influenced 
his discretion. 

^^Is there anything else you could tell me, 
Mr. Hammond? You need not regret having 
spoken before the other girls. They are my 
friends and really know as much of my his- 
tory as I know, there is so little information I 
have ever received.’^ 

^^No, I am afraid not, Kara, I am sorry. 
Now and then I have considered that possibly 
we did not make a sufficiently thorough inves- 
tigation. Yet I do not honestly believe this. 
At the time I searched the room thoroughly. 
I waited, thinking that in all probability 
some one would come back for you. Then, 
when I gave up this idea and took you with 
me to Westhaven, we did not fail in making 
another effort. 

^^Dr. McClain, I recall, insisted upon this 
and we came out here together. Moreover, 
we left a letter stating that if any one desired 
to find you, information could be had of Dr. 
McClain in Westhaven.^’ 

There does not seem to be any doubt, no 
one ever did return and no one ever wished 
to find me. I have always thought, almost 
hoped that my mother and father were dead,’' 
Kara answered. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


137 


No one else had spoken during the grave 
and dramatic conversation between Kara and 
Mr. Hammond. In fact, Kara herself had 
said httle. Now her words affected the room 
filled with her friends with a sense of tragedy. 

Tory Drew moved near the other girl, 
standing beside her in a defensive attitude, as 
if disaster must first meet her before it could 
again touch the friend so dear to her. 

Mrs. Hammond took Lucy^s hand in her 
own, attempting to draw the little girl toward 
the open door. Some day she hoped that 
Lucy might altogether forget the Gray House 
and think of herself as her own and Mr. 
Hammond’s child. 

At last Sheila Mason had ceased her talk 
with Mr. Fenton and Miss Frean. She turned 
toward the center of the room, looking as if 
she wished to ask Mr. and Mrs. Hammond to 
say farewell. Then the interest in Kara’s 
face and in Mr. Hammond’s words forbade 
the interruption. 

Memory Frean had come into the room and 
Mr. Richard Fenton stood immediately behind 
her. He was watching Tory. 

am afraid I have said too much or too 
little and perhaps tired or worried you, Kara. 
If you like, suppose we have a long, quiet talk 


138 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


some day alone. I’ll come again to see you 
and we can go out into the woods together.” 

Conscious of the atmosphere and of his 
own imprudence, Mr. Hammond picked up 
his hat and stick which he had placed upon 
a table. 

Again his own interest in the situation 
became stronger than other impressions. 

Walking toward Kara’s chair, he pushed 
the chair a few feet nearer the wall. 

Without explaining his purpose he moved 
aside a rug which lay on the floor and struck 
the boards with his cane. 

^^Has this floor ever been taken up and a 
new one laid down?” he inquired, apparently 
of Victoria Drew, who chanced to be standing 
nearer than any one else. 

Tory shook her head. 

'‘I don’t think so. The floor was in ex- 
tremely good condition when we decided to 
make this cabin the center of our camp in 
Beechwood Forest.” 

^^The bed stood just here,” Mr. Hammond 
indicated with his walking stick the exact 
spot where Kara’s chair had been the moment 
before. ^‘1 have always felt we should have 
had this floor removed. Kara, if you will 
give me permission, when the summer camp- 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


139 


ing days have passed, I should hke to under- 
take it. There isn^t one chance in a thousand 
we should come across anything, but it would 
be worth while to try, would it not?^’ 

Kara’s expression made no other answer 
necessary. 

A few moments after the Hammonds had 
said farewell and were gone. 

An instant it appeared as if Lucy wished to 
break away and speak to Kara. The other 
girl never glanced toward her, or seemed con- 
scious of her presence after her first display 
of affection, so apparently Lucy lost the 
desire or the courage. 

Immediately the Girl Scouts departed for 
their sleeping tents accompanied by their 
Troop Captain. 

Miss Mason would return to say good-night 
to Kara and see that she was comfortable for 
the night. In the meantime there was the 
final evening ceremony with her Girl Scouts. 

In the big room at present were only Tory, 
Miss Frean and Mr. Fenton, save for the girl 
in the wheeled chair. 

Mr. Fenton approached Kara. 

trust so many visitors and so much 
excitement will not be harmful to you,” he 
said in the dignified fashion that always 


140 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


charmed Kara and his own niece. Mr. Fenton 
never addressed them as if they were merely 
young girls and of no special importance. 

Always his manner was courtly and agree- 
able. 

Toward Kara he extended a box of candy 
which he had been carrying under his arm. 

know candy is to a large extent a for- 
bidden fruit at camp. But as you are a kind 
of uncrowned queen these days, Kara, I 
thought you might be permitted to offer a 
sweet now and then to your ladies in waiting.” 

During this conversation Tory had crossed 
over to Miss Frean, persuading her to be 
seated on a low bench and sitting down beside 
her. 

was deeply offended with you. Memory, 
an hour ago when you held a ^mirror up to 
nature,’ my nature. I detest being lectured. 
Just the same, I promise to try not to bore 
Kara too much with my society and to give the 
other girls more opportunity. But dear me, 
I did think I was doing the right thing! Often 
I have wanted dreadfully to go off on our 
Scouting expeditions and have remained at 
camp because I thought Kara needed me 
and did not wish the other girls to be sacri- 
ficed. It does require an extraordinary num- 
ber of virtues to be a good Scout.” 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


141 


Memory Frean shook her head. 

don’t believe I would put the case in 
just that fashion, Tory. To be a good Scout 
demands first of aU common sense. You have 
the artistic temperament, Tory, and common 
sense is perhaps more difficult for you. Glad 
you are willing to be friends again.” 

Memory Frean and Mr. Richard Fenton 
walked back together to the House in the 
Woods. They had not been alone with each 
other in more than twenty years. 


CHAPTER XIII 


A PORTRAIT 

S EVERAL days later Tory Drew, accom- 
panied by two other of her Troop of 
Girl Scouts, went forth to spend the 
morning sketching, not far from their camp. 

Her companions were Edith Linder and 
Martha Greaves, the Enghsh Girl Guide, who 
was her guest. 

Personally Tory felt considerable embar- 
rassment concerning her own neglect of the 
young English girl who had been left depen- 
dent in a measure upon her interest and friend- 
liness. She had not intended any rudeness or 
indifference. Her greater interest and affec- 
tion for Katherine Moore had dominated all 
other ideas and emotions. 

Even before Miss Frean’s lecture Tory had 
suffered an occasional moment of self-reproach. 
However, only within the past twenty-four 
hours had she talked over the situation frankly 
and openly with Martha and offered an 
apology. 

It was delightful to have discovered her 

( 142 ) 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


143 


to be altogether sensible and agreeable. 
Apparently the young English Girl Guide had 
understood and accepted the circumstances. 
She not only failed to express any show of 
resentment at Tory^s unintentional disregard 
of her, she appeared not to feel any resentment. 

^^It has all been a wonderful experience for 
me, the opportunity this summer to meet and 
know so many American Girl Scouts,^’ she 
explained. ^^Nor has it been possible to feel 
either lonely or neglected. The other girls 
have been so friendly and interested. They 
have talked to me of your devotion to Kara 
and told me something of Kara’s difficult life. 
I would not have you give up an hour when 
she needs you to look after me.” 

Tory was thinking of this and of other 
characteristics of the Enghsh girl, as she sat 
idly holding her sketch book open in her lap, 
a drawing pencil in her hand. 

Martha and Edith had gone over into one 
of the fields to look for mushrooms. As 
Edith had spent the greater part of her life 
on a small farm, she possessed a good deal 
of practical outdoor knowledge which the 
other Girl Scouts were endeavoring to acquire 
through books and teachers. 

Particularly was the English Girl Guide 


144 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


interested in learning all that was possible in 
one brief summer concerning the American 
woods and fields. Now and then they 
appeared oddly unhke her own green and 
fragrant country with its miles of cultivated 
gardens and carefully trimmed hedges. 

Martha and Edith were especially friendly. 
Tory was possessed of sufficient knowledge of 
the world to appreciate this fact as indicating 
an unusual sweetness and poise upon the 
part of their English visitor. 

Obviously Edith Linder came of simple 
people. Her father and mother had been 
poor farmers and were now working in a 
factory in Westhaven. Edith made no pre- 
tense of anything else and had not received 
a great deal of education. She had learned 
much from her winter with Miss Frean, and 
was learning through her summer with her 
Troop of Girl Scouts. Nevertheless, there 
were ways in which she revealed the difference 
in her past circumstances from the fives of 
most of the Girl Scouts with whom she was 
associated at present. 

To Martha, Edith’s lack of social training 
must have been especially conspicuous. Mar- 
tha had been reared in a careful fashion. Her 
family had been wealthy before the war and 
owners of a large estate. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 145 

Nevertheless the Enghsh Girl Guide ac- 
cepted Edith’s efforts toward self-improve- 
ment and her evident desire to make friends 
with perfect tact and good breeding. 

Tory knew that social distinctions were 
more seriously regarded in England than the 
United States. She concluded if ever the 
moment were propitious to inquire of Martha 
if the Girl Guides represented an effort 
toward real Democracy in the sense the 
American Girl Scouts trusted that they repre- 
sented the same purpose. 

At length Tory took up her pencil and 
began drawing. 

She was seated in an open place in the 
woods not far from their dancing ground 
within the circle of giant beech trees. 

Later in the day Evan Phillips’ mother was 
to give the Girl Scouts of the Eagle’s Wing 
their first lesson in outdoor dancing. 

The thought of this in prospect interrupted 
Tory’s effort. With an impatient gesture she 
picked up the paper upon which she was work- 
ing and tearing it into bits flung the pieces 
to the winds. 

Her father insisted that she draw from still 
life and she had been using a distant tree as 
her model. 


10 


146 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Is there anything in the world more diffi- 
cult to represent with its dignity, grace and 
beneficence than a tree? 

At this instant Tory certainly was con- 
vinced there was not. 

Half unconsciously her pencil began indi- 
cating the figure of a girl in various attitudes. 

For years, whenever left to her own devices, 
Tory had amused herself in this fashion. 
However crude her drawings of human figures, 
since she was a tiny girl they had in them a 
suggestion of life and action. 

A noise, apparently coming from behind a 
clump of bushes not far off, distracted the 
artistes attention. 

Tory raised her eyes. 

Beyond the bushes she thought she beheld 
some one move. 

“Martha, Edith! she called out. 

At first there was no reply. 

The second call brought a response. 

From farther away Martha and Edith 
halloed in Girl Scout fashion. 

Again Tory returned to her work, having 
now acquired the impression that she was no 
longer alone. 

Once more she looked suddenly around. 

A figure behind the clump of shrubs un- 
doubtedly stirred. 


IN BEECH WOOD FOREST 147 

Rising, Tory walked in that direction. 

She had not moved more than a few feet 
when the intruder, aware of discovery, came 
toward her. 

A small figure Tory beheld dressed in a 
pale green linen frock, crumpled and torn. 
The large leghorn hat had a band of green 
velvet ribbon encirchng it. In one hand she 
bore a small yellow leather suit case. 

^^Why, Lucy, what in the world does this 
mean? Are you by yourself? Do Mr. or 
Mrs. Hammond know where you are?^’ 

“No, you may tell them,^’ the little girl 
answered calmly. “I am on my way to Kara. 
I am going to take her back to the Gray 
House or somewhere else, where we can be 
alone. I hated Kara sitting still in a chair 
and never moving and all of you keeping me 
from her.’^ 

“Then you do care for Kara?^^ Tory de- 
manded, putting her arms about the pictur- 
esque little figure. 

Coldly but politely Lucy drew away, 

“Care? What do you mean? Do you 
mean do I love Kara? Why, I donT really 
like anyone else very well except Kara and 
perhaps Billy and now Mr. and Mrs. Ham- 
mond. Mrs. Hammond says I must be more 


148 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


devoted to her than any one else, but I^m 
not truly, now that I know Kara is iU” 

^^You have run away, haven’t you, Lucy? 
I am sure I don’t know how you ever got this 
far without some one stealing you. You are 
the most delightful looking child I ever 
beheld. Come and sit down for awhile and 
rest and eat some sandwiches. I know you 
ran away before breakfast and must be 
hungry and tired. Afterwards I’ll take you 
to Kara.” 

A creative impulse had seized hold of Tory. 

More than anything she could imagine at 
the moment she longed to make a sketch of 
Lucy, of the little figure in the pale green 
gown against the deeper background of green, 
the big hat hanging behind her shoulders. 
The child’s cheeks were a vivid rose, her dark 
hair still in the stiff a\ireole that was unlike 
other children’s. 

But it was not the color that Tory wished 
to represent. That would have to come later. 
She must try to catch the grace of the small 
figure, sitting serenely on the ground a few 
feet from her munching sandwiches. 

Tory would have preferred that her por- 
trait model be engaged in some other occu- 
pation. But this made no special difference. 
By and by Lucy stopped eating and Tory, 
fascinated, went on with her drawing. 


CHAPTER XIV 


DISAGREEMENTS 

HE decision to take part with the 



Boy Scouts in the presentation of the 


Greek pageant representing the adven- 
tures of Odysseus was largely brought- about 
through Mr. Richard Fenton’s interest. 

He it was who finally persuaded the Troop 
Captain, Sheila Mason, to give her consent. 
Of chief importance was her point of view, 
since she must be responsible for her own Girl 
Scouts. 

For many years Mr. Fenton had been an 
enthusiastic Greek scholar. To him it ^ap- 
peared more than ordinarily worth while to 
stimulate among the Boy Scouts and the 
Girl Scouts an interest in the historic legends 
of the past. In his estimation the history 
of Greece was of greater importance than any 
other nation. In the history of Greece one 
finds the model of the first known Democratic 
government in the world and according to 
many historians the best. 

The outdoor life of the American Scouts, 


( 149 ) 


150 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


planned to develop them mentally and phys- 
ically, to make better citizens and wiser men 
and women, had its counterpart in the lives 
of the early Greeks, centered about their 
Olympian games. 

A series of tableaux, accompanied by a 
recitation of the story of one of the two great 
Homeric poems, would not alone broaden the 
outlook of the young people who took part. 
Mr. Fenton had a shrewd idea that it would 
awaken among the older people in West- 
haven a wider vision of beauty. Like most 
small towns, Westhaven was too self-centered. 
Mr. Fenton did not wish the little New 
England village to share in the opprobrium of 
^^Main Street.^^ 

Why was it not a portion of the work of 
the Scouts to bring fresh ideals of beauty and 
romance into their own environments? Mr. 
Richard Fenton considered this an important 
part of their service. 

To-day, seated with the fourteen Girl Scouts 
in a circle about her, Sheila Mason was won- 
dering if she had not been more idealistic than 
practical. 

The girls were in their own council cham- 
ber in Beech wood Forest. No one else was 
within sight or hearing. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


151 


The story of the ^^Odyssey’^ lay open in 
Sheila Mason’s lap. 

Katherine Moore, in her wheeled chair, 
held another copy. Bending over her, read- 
ing from the same pages, were Margaret 
Hale and Louise Miller. 

A few feet away Tory Drew and Dorothy 
McClain were writing on large sheets of 
paper the instructions that were offered them 
from time to time. 

Teresa Peterson, shpping her handkerchief 
to her eyes, was wiping away an uncomforta- 
ble moisture. Her cheeks were deeply flushed 
and her lips tremulous. 

Lucy Martin sat contentedly on a cushion 
at Kara’s feet. 

She had not been permitted to bear away 
the other girl as she had planned. However, 
she was allowed to stay on with the Girl 
Scouts in their camp for a visit which made 
her equally content. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Hammond she had 
explained that she could not leave for two 
reasons. Kara needed her and Tory was 
making a picture of her. Either reason she 
considered sufficient. Apparently Mr. and 
Mrs. Hammond had agreed for the present, 
believe, although the boys have left the 


152 


THE OmL SCOUTS 


final choice with us, that it will be best to 
follow their selection of characters, ’’ Margaret 
Hale remarked. 

The Troop Captain looked up from her 
book, first toward Teresa and then Margaret. 

do not see what else is possible under 
the circumstances. We are to make two or 
three changes, but they are not important 
ones. I am sorry Teresa is disappointed. 
She insists that Lance originally suggested to 
her she could represent Penelope, so I pre- 
sume she has built upon the idea. Yet it 
does seem more appropriate for Joan Peters 
to play the part of the famous lady with the 
web, the wife of Odysseus. There is no ques- 
tion, Teresa, of your not acting as well, but 
this is scarcely a question of acting, but of 
appearing to the best advantage in the series 
of tableaux. And Joan does look more like 
one’s conception of Penelope than you. Except 
for Lance McClain’s suggestion to you, and 
he should not have expressed an opinion 
without consulting the others, the choice has 
always been between Dorothy McClain and 
Joan. The majority finally decided in favor 
of Joan because Donald McClain is to appear 
as Odysseus and Don and Dorothy are 
brother and sister. Perhaps there would be 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


153 


less illusion in having them represent a 
husband and wife/^ 

suppose it is because Joan is taller and 
her features more regular and she is prettier, 
that she was chosen to play Penelope,” 
Teresa murmured in an injured tone and 
with such a gentle suggestion of melancholy, 
that Joan Peters appeared extremely uncom- 
fortable. 

donT see it that way, Teresa, and I am 
perfectly willing to give up in your favor if 
the others will agree. Of course it is ridiculous 
to talk of any question of beauty having been 
considered. You know you are absurdly 
pretty, Teresa, and are merely trying to make 
some one say so,” Joan remarked, half serious 
and half amused. 

As a matter of fact, she was not enthusiastic 
over being chosen for one of the principal 
parts in the Greek tableaux. 

She was not particularly popular with the 
Boy Scouts. The boys liked half a dozen of 
the other girls better, although Tory Drew, 
Dorothy McClain and Teresa were the chief 
favorites. 

^^See here, Teresa, don^t be tiresome. If 
we were all to object as you do to the casting 
of the characters we will never get anywhere 


154 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


and spend the entire day in argument. Every- 
body knows I think it the greatest mistake 
in the world not to have had Dorothy in the 
leading role. Still, I am saying very httle 
and apologize to Joan for what I have said,’^ 
Louise Miller protested. ^^So let us get on 
with what we are trying to accomplish. 
Remember, we are to meet the boys and Mr. 
Fenton this afternoon and choose the place 
for our poetic drama.’’ 

Frequently Louise Miller was too impatient 
with Teresa’s small frailties, her love of 
pleasure and admiration. This was hardly 
fair because of the difference in their tempera- 
ments making any sympathy between them 
almost impossible. 

^^Well there is one person whom we all 
agree to be the ideal choice,” Dorothy 
McClain remarked, hoping to turn the conver- 
sation into more agreeable channels. 

She had been sitting on the ground weaving 
a chaplet of beech leaves. Rising up now 
she placed it hke a crown on Kara’s brow. 

Behold Athena, the wise Goddess with the 
clear gray eyes!” 

A httle silence descended upon the group 
of girls. 

Kara flushed. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


155 


It is the kindest and most ridiculous thing 
in the world to have me take part when I 
cannot stir from this chair. I don^t want to 
seem unappreciative. I^m not really, you 
know, but do please explain to the Boy Scouts 
that they must realize it is out of the question,’^ 
Kara argued. 

“No, dear, we are not going to bring up 
that question again. Lance and Don and 
Jack Hardin told you that their entire Troop 
of Scouts wished you to play the ^ Goddess of 
Wisdom.’ The tableaux are to be arranged 
so you need not appear but once. Then you 
are to be seated upon a throne as Pallas 
Athena should be. You know how we all 
feel on the subject. Surely you do not wish 
to disappoint everyone,” Tory protested. 

She was wondering if the other girls had 
observed what she had. In these days of dis- 
cussion of the Greek tableaux Kara had 
appeared brighter and more like her former 
self. Now and then even a glimpse of the 
old humor showed in the depth of her gray 
eyes or about the corners of her of late too 
serious lips. 

“Tory has expressed what we all feel, 
Kara,” Miss Mason added. “Now, Tory, 
please read aloud the list of the characters so 


156 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


far as they have been decided upon. I am 
delighted to know that the father of the Boy 
Scouts has agreed to be with us on the evening 
of the tableaux and will read selections from 
the Odyssey as the pictures are presented.’^ 
Tory glanced toward the paper in her lap. 

Donald McClain will be Odysseus; Lance 
McClain, his son, Telemachus; Joan Peters, 
Penelope; Victoria Drew, the Princess Nausi- 
caa; Mr. Richard Fenton, Eumaeus, the 
aged servant of the Greek hero. The other 
Girl Scouts will be the ladies in waiting to 
Penelope and the Boy Scouts Penelope^s 
suitors. 

had forgotten to write down that Mar- 
garet Hale will be Arete and Jack Hardin the 
good King Alcinous, my respected parents. 
I am glad they assisted the wanderer to end 
his adventures and return to his faithful 
Penelope. » 

“Just as well that we decided to start our 
tableaux with the arrival of the hero on the 
island of the Sea Kings! I fear it would have 
taxed even our talents to have shown the 
enchanted spots where Odysseus was held 
enslaved by Calypso with the beautiful hair, 
who sang sweetly as she wove at her loom 
with the golden shuttle, or Circe, the sorceress. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 157 

who mixed the drink in a golden cup that 
turned men into swine. Representing these 
Goddesses would have taxed our powers. 
Except for Kara we are only mortals.^' 

Tory rose up. 

^^May I start with Kara to our dancing 
grounds? It may take me some time and 
Mrs. Phillips is to arrive in less than an hour 
for our first dance rehearsal. I have an idea, 
or perhaps a hope, that our Greek dance 
which Evan is to lead, will be one of the most 
beautiful, beautiful things that has ever been 
seen in Westhaven.^’ 

Tory reached Karats chair, but at the same 
time Dorothy McClain pushed her gently 
away. 

Margaret and I are going to take turns in 
pushing Kara’s chair to our dancing grounds. 
We have already made an engagement with 
her to that effect. Please remember we are 
both stronger persons than you, and Kara 
will arrive far more speedily and safely.” 

Tory appreciated that Dorothy was jesting, 
nevertheless, she bit her hps and frowned. 

Kara’s hand reached around and took hold 
of her’s. 

You’ll come along with us, won’t you, 
Tory? I know I am selfish, but I do hate being 


158 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


separated from you. If there is time before 
Mrs. Phillips arrives why not attempt another 
sketch of Lucy? We thought the first sketch 
you made of her wonderful, even if you were 
not pleased.’’ 

In the last few days Tory had quietly been 
following Memory Frean’s advice and allow- 
ing the other Girl Scouts to share in the care 
of Kara. As a consequence they did seem to 
feel more pleasure in being together. But 
then for more than one reason Kara was in 
a better state of mind. 


CHAPTER XV 


THE CHOICE 

A t four o’clock in the afternoon Mr. 
Fenton sent a large motor car to the 
^ Girl Scout camp to bear Kara, Miss 
Mason, Lucy Martin and any other girls who 
chose to ride to the place under discussion as 
the site to be chosen for the Greek pageant. 

The spot lay midway between the two 
camps. 

Earlier in the afternoon Miss Frean had 
started off with the girls who preferred the 
hike. 

Walking steadily without pausing for rest, 
before the others they arrived at the proposed 
place. 

When the signal was given to halt, Tory 
Drew dropped down on the ground and in the 
fashion supposed to be best for meditation 
sat looking about her. 

Several of the other girls followed her 
example, while Miss Frean remained standing 
with three or four companions. They pre- 
ferred to command a wider view of their sur- 
roundings. 


( 159 ) 


160 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


They had reached the source of the stream 
of water which ended in the small lake before ' 
the camp in Beechwood Forest. 

Here the water was fairly deep but the 
stream of no great width. On one side was a 
small clearing with a grove of trees not far 
away. Where the Girl Scouts stood at present 
the open space was larger. A dozen yards 
away a country road connected with the state 
road that ran through the village of West- 
haven. 

Beyond were a rim of blue hills. 

would not be surprised if we conclude 
this is the proper location/^ Miss Frean said 
reflectively. There is the disadvantage of 
being so far from Westhaven. We shall have 
to transport the scenery and costumes out 
here and make arrangements for the audience 
to be seated. Yet the place itself is rarely 
lovely.’’ 

Tory looked at her beseechingly. 

^‘The place is ideal. Please don’t say a 
word against it. Uncle Richard insists that 
the early Greeks possessed a greater love of 
the beautiful than we possess. Yet surely 
this spot would have pleased them! 

“Our tableaux can be shown on the other 
side of the water. The audience can be 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


161 


seated on this side. The distance will add to 
the illusion. The Palace of Odysseus with the 
courtyard in front where most of the scenes 
will take place, can be constructed in front 
of the grove of trees. Odysseus can land on 
what is supposed to be the island of the 
Sea-Kings from a Greek galley rowed up the^ 
stream. And I shall appear with my maideng^ 
who come down to the banks to wash the 
imperial clothes of my royal family. Until 
the moment to appear before the audience the 
players can be concealed beyond the trees.’^ 

Closing her eyes and clasping her hands 
ecstatically together, Tory exclaimed: 

‘^Can you not see the entire scene, the 
beauty and glamour, what Uncle Richard calls 
the Greek spirit that we are to portray?’’ 

Joan Peters laughed and shook her head. 

^^No, Tory dear, I am afraid not. We 
cannot all see it, although I must only speak 
for myself. Can’t you appreciate that we 
are not all possessed of the artistic tempera- 
ment and gifted with the power of seeing 
visions? I am a humdrum person who has to 
be shown.” 

Joan moved away to join another group. 

‘^Tory, yours is a fortunate gift, I am not 
pretending to deny it. There are times when 

11 


16 ^ 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


I envy you. Still, dear, some of us before we 
can behold the completed masterpiece, are 
obliged to consider how we can get a sufficient 
number of chairs out here to permit the 
audience to be seated comfortably,’^ Memory 
Frean interposed. 

The girl looked at her half challengingly. 
am not so unpractical as you may think. 
Uncle Richard and I drove out here a few 
days ago and discussed the very problem of 
how to seat our audience. He promised to 
have any number of chairs sent out at his 
expense. We can guess the number required 
by the tickets we shall sell. I have an idea 
our audience will be very large. After paying 
for our costumes and scenery there will still 
be a good deal of money to be divided between 
the Boy Scout Troop and our own.” 

noteworthy conclusion, Tory. I am 
glad you have made the necessary decisions 
and arrangements without waiting for the 
other arrivals. A confusion of tongues just 
adds to a confusion of ideas,” Lance McClain 
remarked, jumping from his bicycle and 
unexpectedly joining the small group. 

Apparently he had ridden on ahead of his 
Scout Troop. 

He turned now and greeted Miss Frean. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


16S 


Then he came over toward Tory. 

“I don’t wish to be teased, Lance. Of 
course I have not made any decision and 
nothing positive can be decided until the vote 
is taken. I have only been entertaining myself 
by dreaming that this is to be the chosen site. 
I can see a mental picture that is very wonder- 
ful.” 

Lance shook his head and laughed. 

am not wishing to be disagreeable, Tory. 
Of course this is the ideal spot. It takes you 
and me to recognize the fact.” 

For some reason neither of them understood, 
Victoria Drew and Lance McClain usually 
argued unimportant issues and agreed upon 
the important ones. 

From a little distance beyond, the rest of 
the Boy Scout Troop could now be seen 
approaching. 

“Yes, Don will be here in a little while, 
Tory. Don’t you and Dorothy worry. I 
rode over because the camp doctor thought I 
wasn’t in very good shape. I am not in high 
favor at camp at present, so I thought I’d 
do what I was told on this occasion,” Lance 
remarked. 

Only three girls were sufficiently near at 
this instant to overhear his speech, Tory, 


164 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Dorothy McClain and Louise Miller. The 
other girls and Miss Frean had moved over 
to meet the advancing Troop. 

“What are you talking about, Lance? 
What have you done of late to break the camp 
discipline? If you don’t care for your own 
sake, I think you might consider how much 
Don and I care for your Scout record. It was 
enough for you to have originated the ridicu- 
lous excursion that resulted in the trouble 
between your Troop and our own that has 
lasted until now. Please, please don’t get 
into any more mischief.” 

In Dorothy’s tone there was something 
maternal. Lance alone of all her brothers 
called forth this spirit in her. 

“Sister of mine, you take me too seriously. 
I have only wandered off from camp now and 
then for a stroll in the woods. I am obhged 
to meditate. I have not broken any of the 
commandments. It is my misfortune to be 
unlike other people. You have told me this a 
good many times. So perhaps I am frequently 
misunderstood.” 

Lance’s tone was so indifferent and teasing 
that Dorothy was seriously annoyed. 

“I don’t mind if Louise and Tory do hear 
what I have been wanting a chance to say to 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


165 


you, Lance. You had no right to tell Teresa 
Peterson that she would be chosen to play 
the part of Penelope in our Greek tableaux. 
She has been dreadfully disappointed and it 
has made things hard for all of us.” 

Teresa Peterson to play Penelope! Who 
says I made any such suggestion, Dorothy? 
Teresa looks more hke a pretty doll than the 
model of Greek faithfulness and propriety.” 
Dorothy looked puzzled. 

Teresa told me herself, Lance. She told 
me she had met you two or three times by 
accident and you had talked to each other for 
a httle while. She seemed to feel she ought 
to speak of it to me and to Miss Mason. 
Teresa is a dear, but she isn’t as clever as some 
of the other girls and I don’t think you would 
ever care to be very intimate friends. She 
never could understand you as Tory and 
Louise do. You did tell Teresa she was ta 
be chosen for Penelope, didn’t you? ” 

Lance whistled. 

suppose so, if she insists upon it.” 
^‘Well, I wish you would stick to one story 
or the other, Lance,” Dorothy protested, 
moving away with Tory Drew and leaving her 
brother and Louise Miller together. 

suppose there are not many things I 


166 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


would not forgive you, but I never should 
forgive your not being truthful/^ 

Lance and Louise remained silent a few 
moments after the others had departed. 

Reproachfully Louise studied the thin, 
eager face. 

Lance, I can guess it is in your code to 
protect a girl by telling a half truth. I sup- 
pose Teresa somehow got the impression she 
was to be chosen for Penelope without your 
having said so. She is a vain little thing. 
But what I want to say is, please never hurt 
Dorothy in order to protect anyone else. 
Perhaps she is only your sister, but she hates 
deceit more than anything in the world, and 
you know how devoted she is to you.” 

Lance frowned. 

^^See here, Louise, I^m not in the habit of 
telling fibs, so don^t preach. I am not going 
to have Teresa suffer any more criticism from 
the rest of you girls. I have met her a few 
times and we have talked. She seemed to 
think perhaps it was a mistake as long as our 
two camps were not friendly, so I am glad 
she has spoken of the fact to Dorothy and 
Miss Mason. I wasn^t going to say anything 
first. 

^^You need not worry over Dorothy and 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


167 


me, Ouida. We have our scraps now and 
then, but there isn’t another girl I think holds 
a candle to her at present, not even you or 
Tory. 

^^By the way, we ought to be special friends. 
We are both ^different,’ and no one ever really 
likes being. Dorothy says you have got some 
queer idea in your head that you would hke 
to be a naturalist. That is almost as good as 
my wishing to be a musician, when we both 
have our own livings to earn, the sooner the 
better for ourselves and families. We aren’t 
all Tory Drews in this world!” 

Louise’s earnest pale gray eyes with their 
dark lashes were staring intently at her 
companion. 

“I agree with the first part of your speech, 
Lance, but I really don’t understand what 
you mean about Tory,” she returned. 

Don’t you? Well, nothing important. 
Only Tory is one of the people who has talent 
and charm and things are going to be fairly 
easy for her compared to you and me. When 
the time comes for her to study art she will 
have her chance. Most people are fond of her. 
At present in our family old Don and father 
will do pretty much anything she asks. So 
I thought maybe you and I might be kind of 


168 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


special friends, Ouida. I may probably get 
into a scrape some day and not know the best 
way out and want your help/’ 

“You can always count on me, Lance, if 
for no other reason than because you are 
Dorothy’s favorite brother,” Louise answered 
simply. 

Observing that Miss Mason’s car had 
arrived and several others, Lance and Louise 
moved toward the newcomers. 

Three members of the Boy Scout Council 
and three other members of the girls had 
driven out with Mr. Fenton. It was rare in 
the history of the Scout movement that the 
girls and boys should take part in the same 
entertainment and the subject was being 
seriously considered. 


CHAPTER XVI 


THE GREEK SPIRIT 

W HAT is the Greek spirit, Mr. Fenton?’^ 
During one of the rehearsals for 
the presentation of Odysseus, Lance 
McClain made this inquiry. 

No one else among the group of boys and 
girls surrounding Mr. Fenton at the moment 
would have asked the question. Yet, over- 
hearing Lance, a number of them stood wait- 
ing for the answer. 

The weeks of outdoor work and study had 
awakened new ideas and interests. 

Mr. Fenton did not reply immediately; 
instead, he appeared to be considering the 
question deeply. 

Frequently he had talked of the Greek 
spirit. Therefore, what did he actually mean? 

am glad you put that query to me, 
Lance,’’ he returned finally. “Half a dozen 
times since we began our rehearsals I have 
spoken of the ^ Greek spirit.’ I have empha- 
sized the wish that we reveal it in the presen- 
tation of our tableaux. One ought not to talk 

( 169 ) 


170 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


glibly and be unable to offer a simple defi- 
nition. 

'^At least I can tell you what the ^ Greek 
spirit’ means to me and why I want us to 
give expression to it in our pageant. 

^^Try not to be bored if I discuss the sub- 
ject seriously for a few moments. You know 
I have been a student, not a speaker, all my 
life, and there are times when we all wish for 
the gift of tongues.” 

Observing that Mr. Fenton was addressing 
not Lance alone who had asked the question, 
but the crowd of young people nearby. 
Memory Frean and Sheila Mason, Captain 
Curtis and several others came and stood on 
the edge of the crowd. 

This afternoon they were together on the 
side of the stream of water where the tableaux 
would be presented. 

In nearly every detail Tory had been cor- 
rect in her original conception. The pageant 
would be presented in the clear green space 
with the grove of shadowy trees as background. 

Across the water the audience were to be 
seated in a natural outdoor auditorium. On 
a shght elevation of land near the stream the 
Father of the Scouts, who had promised to 
appear for the evening’s entertainment, would 
read aloud portions of the Odyssey. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


171 


This afternoon, however, the Scouts were 
busy building and arranging details of the 
outdoor scenery. 

It must be as simple as possible to serve 
their purpose. 

Observing the crowd gathering about Mr. 
Richard Fenton, the builders also stopped their 
toil to join the others. 

A rare experience had come to Mr. Fenton 
late in life, and although she never realized 
the fact, Tory Drew was chiefly responsible. 

Almost as a recluse Mr. Fenton had spent 
the years of his middle age. He was under the 
impression that he was not sympathetic with 
most people and that they did not care for 
him. With a sufficient fortune for his needs, 
he had not found it necessary to engage in 
an occupation for the sake of making money. 
Therefore he had devoted most of his time 
to study and thought. 

The result had not brought him a deep 
satisfaction. In his young manhood he had 
not planned this kind of existence. 

He had contemplated being a public man, 
a statesman ^should he reveal the necessary 
ability. In those days he had been young and 
meant to make Memory Frean proud of him. 
They had separated and he had sought con- 
solation among his books. 


172 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Then into his own and his sister^s well regu- 
lated lives Tory had entered the winter before. 
She was not Tory to them then, but Victoria 
Drew, as Miss Victoria Fenton still insisted 
upon calling her niece. 

To Mr. Fenton the young girl had made an 
unconscious appeal. Lonely and feeling her- 
self out of place in a new and strange environ- 
ment, she appeared like a gay little tropical 
bird or flower transferred to a harsher environ- 
ment. When he and Tory became friends the 
coldness of the old maid and old bachelor 
estabhshment changed to a pleasanter warmth. 

Introduced to her girl friends, Mr. Fenton 
had become a member of their Scout Council. 
But not until this summer had he developed 
into their chief mentor, and fairy godfather. 

Now to his surprise, added to his other 
unsought honors, he found himself the director 
of the Greek pageant, one of the performers as 
well, and far more popular with his feUow- 
players than he yet appreciated. 

Daily they were coming to him with their 
problems and their ambitions. As yet their 
confldences related only vo the approaching 
performance. 

Lancets question was more general than 
any other that had been propounded. While 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


173 


Mr. Fenton was replying he looked at Lance 
with more interest than he had felt in the 
boy before. 

If no one else understood what he was 
endeavoring to make plain, he beheved that 
Tory and Lance would catch the import of 
his words. 

Among the nations the Greeks are rarely 
fortunate,’’ Mr. Fenton began. '^They left us 
such inheritances that we have remembered 
their great days; with other nations we are 
too apt to recall the years of their decay, 
their mistakes. 

“Perhaps one reason for this is that the 
Greeks were our forefathers, a branch of the 
Aryan-speaking peoples who in the faint twi- 
hght of early history, a nomadic, wandering 
people, moved southward, and combined with 
the inhabitants of Crete. This gives us the 
story of the Odyssey, one of the two great 
Greek poems, but more filled with legend than 
the story of the Iliad, which is the siege of 
Troy.” 

Mr. Fenton paused. 

“I am not tiring you too much? Still I 
must go on. We must try as far as we can 
to understand what we have undertaken to 
present to others. And I have not yet told 
you what I mean by the Greek spirit. 


174 


THE GHU. SCOUTS 


revealed itseK even as far back as these 
two poems. The Greeks were then possessed 
of two great passions, the love of adventure 
and the love of beauty. Those two posses- 
sions I want to be equally the heritage of the 
American Girl and Boy Scouts. 

Later, in what is known as the Age of 
Pericles, the Greeks entered into their third 
ardor. Democracy, the love of freedom. So 
what I call the Greek spirit is the love and 
pursuit of these three things: Beauty, Adven- 
ture, Freedom. 

might talk longer and you would under- 
stand me less well. Understand, there may 
be danger in these three desires. One must 
not seek beauty, adventure and freedom at 
the^ expense of other people, but in order to 
share it with others as the Greeks have done. 

''Now I am through with my lecture, will 
some one give me a hammer? IT try to assist 
Don in building a footstool for one of Penel- 
ope^s maids. I’m afraid I am no better car- 
penter than I am lecturer. Do you under- 
stand what I have been trying to explain, 
Lance? We may talk the question over 
together some other time.” 

Lance nodded. 

"I think I do understand what it means in 
regard to the Scouts.” 


m BEECHWOOD FOREST 


175 


A moment he stood dreaming when the 
others went back to work. Beauty, adven- 
ture, freedom, the Scouts were finding in the 
outdoors during the weeks of their summer 
camp. 

At present in front of the grove of trees 
Mrs. Phillips was starting a rehearsal of the 
Greek dance that was to form a part of the 
coming pageant. 

Fascinated, Lance stood watching. 


CHAPTER XVII 


A CLASSIC REVIVAL 

O NLY now and then does nature allow 
us a perfect thing. 

The day of the presentation of the 
Greek poem of the Odyssey by the Girl and 
Boy Scouts was a perfect day. 

It occurred during the last week in August. 
Here at the fringe of the deep woods the after- 
noon was hke early September; there was 
more color, more radiance than one associates 
with any other month of the year. 

Beyond the woods the wheat fields were 
golden, the final growth of the summer gar- 
dens a riot of purple and rose and blue. 
The corn fields having ripened, bent then- 
green maturity to the breezes, the silk of the 
corn tassels made vahant banners. In the 
forests the beech trees showed bronze leaves 
amid the midsummer foHage, the sumach and 
the woodbine were flaunting the scarlet sig- 
nals of autumn. 

Along the road leading from Westhaven to 
the site in the woods where the Greek pageant 

( 176 ) 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


177 


would take place, from an early hour in the 
afternoon motor cars moved back and forth. 

The first cars transported the players and 
their costumes and such odds and ends of 
scenery as had to be attended to at the last. 

The same cars returned for the families and 
friends of the actors. Every automobile and 
carriage the town could spare for the occasion 
had been commandeered. 

The interest the town of Westhaven and 
several neighboring villages displayed in the 
Greek pageant was beyond the realms of 
possibihty in the original conception of the 
Girl and Boy Scouts. 

But the summer was closing. In a short 
time a good many of the summer residents 
would be returning to their city homes. The 
thought of a final entertainment, a final 
memory of the summer days became in- 
spiring. 

Moreover, a Greek pageant was unusual 
presented by groups of American girls and 
boys. Probably they would make a failure 
of so ambitious an effort, yet it would be 
worth while to see. 

The first arrivals among the audience found 
several hundred chairs placed in more or less 
orderly array upon one side of a stream that 

12 


178 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


ran straight as a ribbon along this part of the 
countryside. 

Upon an elevation a small platform had 
been constructed with a table and a chair so 
banked with golden rod and Michaelmas 
daisies and green boughs that the wooden 
outhnes were concealed. 

On the further side of the water was an 
ingenious structure, half palace and haK tent. 

The walls were of a heavy white canvas, the 
roof had been made of narrow lattice and this 
covered with green branches. 

In front was the court yard of the palace. 
The furnishings were severely simple, a long 
bench and a table, a few straight chairs, 
Kttle more than stools, and painted white to 
suggest marble. 

No other paraphernalia of the approaching 
performance was visible. 

Now and then a figure appeared from the 
background of trees, never one of the players, 
only some assistant bent upon an errand. 

Not upon the shore-fine supposed to repre- 
sent ancient Greece, but immediately facing 
the audience waved a giant American flag. 
On either side were the Scout flags, one bear- 
ing the imprint of an eaglets wing, the insignia 
of the Girl Scouts, the other an elm tree, the 
flag of the boys. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


179 


At four o^clock in the afternoon the pageant 
began. 

Before that hour not only were the seats 
filled but a number of people were standing. 

A guest of honor of the occasion was one 
of the distinguished men who originated the 
Scout movement for boys in the United States. 
Another guest of honor was a member of the 
National Girl Council, who had come up from 
the headquarters in New York for no other 
reason than to be present at the pageant. 

With simple Scout ceremonies the enter- 
tainment opened. 

A few moments after the applause had 
subsided, a beautiful resonant voice read aloud 
the first lines describing the Odyssey: 

‘‘Sing us the song of the hero, steadfast, skilful and 
strong, 

Taker of Troyes high towers who wandered for ten 
years long 

Over the perilous waters, through unknown cities of 
men. 

Leading his comrades onward, seeking his home again. 
Sing us the song of the Wanderer, sing us the wonderful 
song.^’ 

A moment later slowly rowing down the 
stream appeared a solitary figure, Odysseus, 
seated upon a raft to which were fixed sails 
and a rudder. 


180 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Before reaching the place along the shore 
where the boat, built by Odysseus on the island 
of Calypso, was to land, a storm was supposed 
to beset the hero. The audience beholds him 
struggle with the storm and then reach a safe 
harbor. 

On the shore he piles up branches and Hes 
down upon a bed of leaves. 

A short time passes and Odysseus sleeps. 

This opening scene in the tableaux Donald 
McClain insisted was the most difficult in 
the entire program. During the rehearsals 
he had been possessed by the fear that he 
would not be able to produce the illusion, 
so that his audience would not take him 
seriously. Therefore, the tableaux would 
begin and end in disaster. 

Don need not have troubled. Very hand- 
some and heroic he appeared, his dark hair 
grayed to represent the age of the Greek hero 
who had wandered so many weary years after 
the siege of Troy. 

: While Odysseus slumbers the Princess Nau- 
sicaa and her maidens come down toward the 
river. Unaware of the sleeper, they begin 
washing their clothes in the river and after- 
wards spread them out to dry in the sun. 

Victoria Drew, as the Princess Nausicaa, 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


181 


wore a gown of bright blue with a Greek 
design in silver braid. Her bright red-gold 
hair was bound in a silver fillet. Her maids 
were Margaret Hale, Edith Linder, Martha 
Greaves and Julia Murray. Their costumes 
were white and crimson, yellow and green. 

In making a careful study of the costumes 
worn by the early Greeks, Miss Frean and the 
Troop Captain had been surprised to find that 
white did not play so important a part in 
their dress as they had supposed. Together 
with their love for the beauty of line and 
form the Greeks possessed an equal love for 
color. 

Nausicaa and her maidens begin a game of 
ball on the sands. The princess misses the 
ball and as it rolls into the water she gives a 
cry that awakes Odysseus. 

He comes forward and asks Nausicca^s 
aid. 

Together they move toward the palace of 
the Sea-kings, when the first tableau ends. 

The second scene shows Odysseus seated 
inside the tent narrating his adventures to 
the good King Alcinous and his wife. Queen 
Arete. 

Again the voice of the interpreter recited 
further lines from the Greek poem: 


182 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


‘^Hither, come hither and hearken awhile, Odysseus, 
far-famed king! 

No sailor ever has passed this way but has paused to 
hear us sing. 

Our song is sweeter than honey, and he that can hear 
it knows 

What he never has learnt from another, and has joy 
before he goes; 

We know what the heroes bore at Troy in the ten long 
years of strife 

We know what happens in all the world, and the secret 
things of life.^' 

A thrill of appreciation and sympathy 
stirred the larger portion of the audience at 
the outset of the next tableau. 

Strangers, sUghtly puzzled to guess the 
cause, found that a few hurried words made 
the situation clearer. 

Odysseus has sailed from Crete and comes 
at last to his own land. 

No change of scenery was possible. The 
hearers learned from the recitation that he 
had reached the island of Ithaca. Here his 
ship was moored in a haven between two 
steep headlands near a shadowy cave, where 
the water-fairies come to look after their bees 
and weave their sea-blue garments on the 
hanging looms. 

Odysseus, knowing not that he has reached 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


183 


his home at last, walks up the steep incline 
from the shore. Here he meets the Goddess of 
wisdom, Pallas Athena. 

Contrary to her own judgment Katherine 
Moore had agreed finally to represent Athena; 
in spite of the difficulties to be surmounted 
not to have accepted would have been too 
ungracious. 

From beyond in the grove of trees the 
Goddess advances. She is seated in a chariot 
drawn by four children. The children wore 
costumes of white, short skirts to their knees 
and sandals on their feet. 

The Goddess herself was clad in white with 
a wreath of green leaves about her hair. Had 
the audience been closer she would have 
appeared a pale and fragile Goddess with wide 
gray eyes set in a delicate, bravely smiling 
face. For the oldtime Kara had been doing 
her best to return these days in order to cast 
no gloom upon the pleasure of her friends. 

Better for Kara perhaps that the general 
effect of the tableau was what was desired 
and not a too apparent view of details! 

This, however, was not true concerning the 
little group of children who drew the chariot. 

So startling was Lucy Martinis beauty that 
not only the Girl Scouts and their older 


184 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


friends discussed it among themselves, the 
Boy Scouts, not so apt to notice a little girPs 
appearance, also spoke of it to one another 
privately. 

Fortunately Lucy, in spite of her wilfulness, 
was not self-conscious. 

To-day evidently she was thinking not of 
herself but of Katherine Moore and Billy, 
her former friends from the Gray House on 
the Hill. 

A blond Cupid grown slightly older and 
thinner, Billy Duncan appeared, with his 
blond hair and large childish blue eyes and his 
somewhat expressionless face. 

Either the performance of the Greek tab- 
leaux or the presence of the httle girl who had 
so dominated him during the years they had 
spent together at the Gray House made Billy 
dazed and speechless. 

There was no need, however, that he should 
use any intelHgence save to do what Lucy 
commanded. 

Her dark eyes sparkled with a brilliant 
excitement, her rose cheeks glowed. The stiff 
aureole of her dark hair made a striking con- 
trast to the whiteness of her childish costume. 

The other two children were acquaintances 
of Lucy^s from the Gray House and equally 
ready to do her bidding. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


185 


So, whatever the others may have believed, 
Lucy Martin was convinced that she had 
taken complete charge of Kara’s tableau. 

Watching the little girl, Kara in a measure 
forgot what she felt to be her own unfitness 
for her distinguished r 61 e. 

Athena touches Odysseus with her magic 
wand and he changes into an old man, not 
wishing to be recognized on his return to his 
own palace. Athena’s chariot is then drawn 
back into the grove of trees and Odysseus, now 
disguised as a beggar, once more sets out for 
his home. The Goddess has presented him 
with a worn coat which he places over his 
former costume. 

The tableaux did not consume any length 
of time, scarcely longer than it requires in the 
telling, nevertheless the entire drama of 
Odysseus could not be unfurled in a single 
afternoon’s pageant. 

The meeting of Odysseus with the faithful 
steward, Eumaeus, played by Mr. Fenton, was 
presented without the details one finds in 
the story. 

Immediately after the son of Odysseus, 
Telemachus, makes his appearance. 

Neither Lance McClain nor Donald had 
ever acted until today. 


186 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


They had both been fearful that playing 
together would have its drawbacks, as one is 
inclined to be more nervous and critical with 
regard to one’s own family. Actually the 
brothers were more surprised by each other 
than they could have surprised their audience. 

The change in costume, the gray in his hair, 
the lines of makeup on his handsome boyish 
face, gave Donald a look of maturity, while 
Lance’s slenderness and the fact that he was 
several inches smaller carried with it the 
necessary suggestion of graceful youth. 

Together the father and son set forth to 
their home, crowded with the suitors who, 
believing Odysseus dead, have come to seek 
the hand of Penelope. 

Instead of going directly to the palace they 
retire toward the woods to suggest a lapse of 
time. 

So far the Greek tableaux had been domi- 
nated by single figures, chiefly the hero of 
the poem. 

Now a change occurs. 

In the courtyard before the palace Penel- 
ope is seen to appear accompanied by her 
maidens. 

A serene and stately Penelope robed in ivory 
and gold, her ash-brown hair braided and 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


187 


coiled low on her neck, a gold band in her 
hair, Joan Peters had never looked so hand- 
some. 

About her the troop of maidens hke a swarm 
of brilhant, many-colored flowers. 

They moved from the yard and onto a 
broad space of ground untouched by tree or 
shrub. Here the grass had been closely cut 
so that it formed a velvet greensward. 

Penelope stands in the background and her 
maidens advance. 

They were sixteen in number and repre- 
sented the four seasons. 

As Kara’s illness made it impossible for her 
to be of their number, the sixteen girls were 
not alone Girl Scouts from the camp in Beech- 
wood Forest. Four of them were gowned 
in white, four in pale green, four in blue and 
four in scarlet. 

Their costumes were like the simple, flowing 
draperies of the Greek dancing girls seen upon 
the friezes of the ancient Parthenon at Athens. 

Carefully Mrs. Phillips had made a study 
of every detail of Greek dancing and cos- 
tuming. Anxious to impress the people of 
Westhaven with her ability as a teacher of 
dancing, she appreciated that no such oppor- 
tunity as the present one would be offered her 
again. 


188 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Evan Phillips was to lead the Greek Dance 
of the Four Seasons; one of the dancers 
representing winter, she was dressed in white 
and silver. 

Advancing, the entire line made a streak 
of rainbow beauty upon the farther edge of 
the silver stream of water. 

The line recedes, forming a crescent about 
the solitary dancer. 

Then Evan danced alone. Her dancing was 
a series of graceful gestures, of movements of 
her arms and postures of her body, not toe 
dancing or a skilful employment of her feet, 
such as we associate with modern dancing. 

In the midst of her dancing she summons the 
four seasons to advance. Winter comes first. 
They seem to be blown forward by a gust of 
winter wind that sets them dancing and 
shivering forward. Supposedly the snow falls 
and their arms, partly covered by delicate 
white draperies, are raised as a shield. 

The sun shines, the snow melts and they 
move backward to give place to the birth of 
spring, the four Girl Scouts in shimmering 
green costumes. 

The dance of the Spring recalled Evan 
Phillips’ dance of the young beech trees, save 
that it was more stately. As far as possible 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


189 


her mother had adapted her idea to the Greek 
model. 

Summer follows spring and the dance sug- 
gests the blossoming of the flowers. The 
scarlet succeeds the blue and autumn comes 
with its portents of flying leaves and birds 
moving southward. 

The dance ends and for the first time the 
audience broke into enthusiastic applause. 
Nothing so beautiful had ever been witnessed 
in Westhaven! 

Penelope and her maidens return to the 
palace. Later Odysseus wanders into his own 
home, unrecognized by his family and friends. 

The Girl Scouts composed the household 
of Penelope, the Boy Scouts found their 
opportunity as the impatient suitors of the 
lady Penelope. They remain about her palace, 
playing at games, feasting and wasting herj 
substance and that of her son, Telemachus. 
The hour must be near when she shall make 
up her mind who is to fill the place of her lost 
husband, Odysseus. I 

In the games that took place the Boy Scouts 
found their chance to exhibit their prowess in 
outdoor sports. 

Penelope fetches the bow and the quiver full 
of deadly arrows. She then goes to meet the 


190 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


princes, her attendants following carrying the 
axes. 

To the suitor who wins at the trial of the 
bow Penelope vows to give herself in marriage. 

Odysseus, with as httle trouble as a minstrel 
fits a new cord to his lyre, bends the mighty 
bow with an arrow caught up from the table 
at his side. 

Even when the bronze-tipped shaft goes 
clean through twelve axes set up in a row, the 
bhnded Penelope fails to know her lord. 

The last scene reveals Odysseus, his shabby 
coat cast aside, his figure no longer bent and 
aged, a shining hero seated opposite Penelope 
in the courtyard of his home, united at last 
after long parting. 

The Greek tableaux were over. Within a 
quarter of an hour the audience departed for 
their homes, the Girl Scouts to their own 
camp and the boys to their^s on the other side 
of the hill. Yet not until bed-time was any 
other subject discussed by the players and 
their audience than the surprising success of 
the Greek pageant given that afternoon in the 
famUiar setting of the New England woods. 

So the beauty of the past held its re-birth 
in the present. 


CHAPTER XVIIT 


THE PASSING 

O UTSIDE the opening into her tent 
Teresa Peterson sat presumably play- 
ing upon the banjo. The sounds she 
was making were not particularly pleasing. 
Yet the camp was fairly deserted. Only a 
few of the other girls were to be seen and they 
were busy and nowhere near Teresa. 

In fact, the camp in Beechwood Forest 
would be vacant within the next few days. 
Summer was closing with the soft lovehness 
that makes one forgive and forget her less 
charming moods. 

Already the evergreen house, which had 
been the center of the camp hfe, was being 
dismantled. 

Katherine Moore had returned to the Gray 
House on the Hill. After the performance of 
the Greek tableaux she had not been so well 
and Dr. McClain had additional reasons for 
desiring her presence in town at this time. 

Impatient always to fulfill his own wishes, 
no sooner was Mr. Hammond aware of Karats 
( 191 ) 


192 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


departure to town than he requested permis- 
sion to have the floor of the old cabin removed 
and the search begun. Kara was not to be 
told of the effort until the work was accom- 
phshed. Not one chance in a thousand, Mr. 
Hammond agreed, that any trace of Kara’s 
past history be located here, therefore she 
had best not be excited or worried until the 
task was finished. 

This afternoon, as Teresa twanged at her 
banjo strings, she looked oftener than was 
good for her music at the group of men who 
were at work in the evergreen cabin. 

So far they had only started the removal 
of the old boards. 

When this was concluded the Girl Scouts 
had determined to organize the searching 
parties among themselves. Mr. Hammond 
would join them; no one else was supposed to 
feel a sufficiently keen interest in the investi- 
gation to be allowed to take part. 

In spite of her music Teresa observed Lance 
McClain coming toward the Girl Scout camp 
when he was still some distance away. He 
was not wearing his Scout uniform as might 
have been expected. 

Even at a distance Lance appeared unhke 
the other boys. He was smaller than a num- 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


193 


ber of them, more slender and graceful. He 
had a pecuHar carriage of the head. He 
seemed to bend forward sHghtly and yet his 
eyes were nearly always upturned. He appar- 
ently did not look at the objects directly in 
front of him. 

Hello, Lance, I am awfully glad to see 
you! I was feeling dull,” Teresa called out. 
^'How did you happen to walk over to camp 
and not be wearing your uniform? Miss 
Mason is lying down in her tent; if you hke 
111 tell her you are here and then you can 
stay and talk to me, or else IT play to you.” 

Lance made a funny grimace. 

Thanks awfully, Teresa, but I want to see 
Dorothy for a special reason. I can! stay 
long. I wonder if you will tell me where I 
can find her?” 

Teresa frowned. 

thought you always claimed to be fond 
of music, Lance, so I don’t see why you need 
be in such a hurry.” 

Again Teresa twanged at her banjo, a httle 
angrily on this occasion, so that the boy’s 
sensitive face twitched. 

'^Oh, for goodness sake don’t make that 
noise, please, Teresa, and don’t be annoyed. 
I’d like to talk to you if I had time. I don’t 


13 


194 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


think I am fond of the banjo as a musical 
instrument, but IVe simply got to find 
Dorothy. If you don^t know where she is will 
you ask Miss Mason? Tell her it is important 
or I would not have appeared. Oh, yes, I 
know the Boy Scouts are more welcome visi- 
tors at present than they were, still I really 
have too much else to do ordinarily!’^ 

So worried was Lance’s expression that 
Teresa relented. 

“You might tell me what you have on your 
mind. If you don’t wish to, why, I do know 
where Dorothy is. She and Tory Drew and 
Louise and little Lucy rowed over to the 
other side of the lake, not far off. If you are 
in a hurry you can take the other canoe and 
join them. It will require less time than walk- 
ing around the shore and I’ll go with you if 
you’d like to have me come.” 

Lance flushed. 

“You will think I am rude I am afraid, 
Teresa, but it is rather a private matter I 
want to talk over with Dorothy, so if you 
don’t object I’ll row over alone. Some other 
time you and I ” 

The girl shrugged her shoulders. 

“Oh, it does not make any difference,” she 
returned, and began humming a gay little 
tune and pla3dng more softly. 


m BEECHWOOD FOREST 


195 


As he entered the silver canoe and started 
paddling across the shallow lake Lance regret- 
ted his decision. His was a nature not so 
uncommon as people suppose. He disliked 
hurting people in small ways, in larger and 
more important ways he was apparently 
indifferent. 

He liked Teresa and thought her extremely 
pretty. 

After all, Dorothy would not be alone, 
although they could go off somewhere nearby 
together. Yet Lance knew he would not 
particularly object to the presence of Louise 
Miller and Tory Drew. 

No difficulty arose in discovering the group 
of girls. Before Lance shoved his boat from 
the shore he observed them at a point about 
three-quarters of the way down the opposite 
shore. He could not distinguish one from the 
other nor tell the exact number. 

As he approached nearer he observed that 
Tory was seated with an easel in front of her, 
and at a short distance away Lucy was posing. 
The other girls were not in sight. 

, So intent was Tory upon her work that she 
did not see Lance until he was within a few 
yards. Then he called out to her, and Lucy, 
glad of a chance to change her position, ran 
down to meet him. 


196 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


They came up hand in hand. 

^^Not so bad, Tory, for a girl, and one no 
older than you!^’ Lance murmured, staring 
at the drawing of the youthful artist, his 
brows drawn into a fine line, half of criticism, 
half envy. 

Donald and Dorothy McClain and most of 
her younger companions would have felt only 
enthusiastic admiration for Tory’s work. Had 
they known, Lance’s attitude was more flat- 
tering. He expected more of Tory’s abihty 
than the others knew how to expect. 

She shook her head. 

“This is my third attempt, Lance, to make 
a picture of Lucy that I shall be willing to 
submit to the judges in our Council or show 
father. I can’t try again, we are going away 
from camp so soon. Now and then I think 
this may do, and at others I am discouraged. 
I must not talk about myself. How did you 
happen to turn up here? Are you looking 
for Dorothy? I hope there is nothing the 
matter, you are so serious.” 

Before it became necessary for Lance to 
reply a voice interrupted him. 

Overhearing the conversation, Dorothy and 
Louise Miller, who had not been far away, 
were returning. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


197 


With an unexpected display of affection, 
Dorothy McClain, not accustomed to showing 
her emotions, put her arm through her 
brother’s and held tight to him. 

^^What are you doing not in your Scout 
uniform, Lance? We were just saying that 
it was too dreadful to think that our summer 
camping days in Beechwood Forest would soon 
be a thing of the past. Nevertheless, I will 
be kind of glad to return to my own family. 
Tory and Ouida and I have been making all 
sorts of plans for the winter. You must 
help us with some of them, Lance, you and 
Don.” 

^ ^Afraid I won’t be able to, Dorothy,” 
Lance answered in an odd voice. 

The three girls studied him more intently. 

Lucy, seldom interested in the conversation 
of older persons, had wandered away and was 
throwing pebbles into the clear water. 

^^Why not, Lance? You are not usually 
unaccommodating, and though you may con- 
sider you are wasting your valuable time to 
spend any of it with girls, you won’t count 
Tory and Ouida and me with the others?” 

“I won’t be at home next winter, Dorothy, 
at least I think not. I came out to camp this 
afternoon to have a private conversation with 


198 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


you, but if Ouida and Tory won’t be bored I 
don’t mind if they hear what I wish to say. 
Perhaps if you don’t see things my way to 
the extent I want you to, they may help me.” 

Dorothy looked frightened. ^^Oh, Lance! 
What in the world are you going to propose? 
Please don’t ask me to take your part if you 
have been having an argument with father. 
I may not think you are in the right. Suppose 
we have afternoon tea before you tell us any- 
thing. We brought the tea things over in the 
canoe and Ouida and I have been collecting 
the materials for a fire.” 

Doggedly Lance shook his head. 

^^No, it will take more than a half hour 
before the water can possibly boil. I can’t 
wait so long. 

have had an argument with father, 
Dorothy. I don’t see how you managed to 
guess. I went in to see him yesterday and 
stayed all night at home. We talked until 
after midnight. I am going back home now 
after I have confided in you, so I did not care 
to wear my uniform.” 

As if she suddenly had grown tired, Dorothy 
seated herself on the ground, Lance standing 
above and staring down at her an eager, 
appealing light in his brown eyes. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


199 


Embarrassed by their own position, Tory 
and Louise were moving away when a swift 
inclination of Lance’s hand beckoned them to 
remain. 

want you to stay, please do. I believe 
Dot is going to be difficult. I did not think 
so when I came out to talk things over with 
her. She is always claiming that I am her 
favorite brother yet when it comes to a test 
she is far oftener on any one’s side than mine.” 

^^That is not because I do not care for you 
but because I feel you are often wrong, 
Lance, and for your own sake I am obliged to 
differ with you,” Dorothy answered, as if she 
were on the defensive. 

^^Oh, well, all right, here goes. Perhaps I 
am wrong again,” Lance returned. ^^Never- 
theless you and father might as well under- 
stand that I am in earnest and sooner or later 
mean to have my way.” 

At this instant Lance sat down beside his 
sister, Tory and Ouida following his example, 
but a few feet away as if they were interested 
but reluctant. 

Persuasively Lance placed his arm around 
his sister. 

Dot, does it ever occur to you that a fellow 
may have a right to his mistakes? The rest 


200 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


of my family is so almighty sensible that if I 
am never to be allowed to have my own way 
I’ll never learn anything. 

^^Do you remember about two weeks ago 
when Mr. Fenton talked to us about the 
Greek spirit? He said that to him it repre- 
sented, beauty, adventure and freedom.” 

Dorothy sighed. 

“Dear me, Lance, I was afraid at the time 
you might take Mr. Fenton’s speech per- 
sonally! What are you planning to do in 
quest of beauty, freedom and adventure?” 

Dorothy’s expression was worried but 
amused, and Lance flushed. Upon only one 
subject was he particularly sensitive, his 
devotion to music and his own lack of any 
knowledge of it. 

In a measure his sister could surmise some- 
thing of what he had in mind. 

“My effort was not to be a very serious one. 
Dot,” he said slowly; “at least I did not feel 
it so until after my talk with father. He seems 
to have gone up in the air. I don’t want to 
spend next winter in Westhaven. I simply 
can not endure any longer never having music 
lessons from any one who knows how to teach 
and not even hearing any music worth 
listening to.” 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


201 


Lance set his teeth. 

don’t ask anyone to understand, you 
can’t if you try.” 

Dorothy’s blue eyes grew more troubled. 

“I know, Lance, but I do try,” she returned. 
“And I would give anything, make any sacri- 
fice I knew how to make if father were willing 
or had the money to send you to New York 
to study. But he is not wilhng and he has 
not the money.” 

“I know, that is just it. I don’t mean to 
ask him for money. I have been writing 
letters to people in New York and trying to 
get work and now I have succeeded in landing 
something that will give me enough to live 
on, so you won’t have to worry.” 

“But, Lance, there is school. You are only 
fifteen and you can’t stop school, it is even 
against the law. You must have pretended 
you were older.” 

“I can go to school at night when I have 
finished working; I explained this to father,” 
Lance argued patiently. 

“What about the music? When will you 
have money or time for lessons?” Tory inter- 
rupted, not intending to intrude upon the dis- 
cussion, but in her interest forgetting her 
resolution. 


202 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


A little less self-confident Lance appeared. 
Honestly, I don’t know, Tory,” he replied, 
think I feel that if once I get where music 
is, the opportunity will come to me as rain 
and sunshine come to trees and the things that 
need them. Gee whiz, I am talking like a 
poet or a girl! Father would not think this 
line of conversation convincing. You’ll think 
up a better line of argument, won’t you 
Dorothy? Then when your time comes and 
you want something a whole lot I’ll do my 
best for you.” 

‘'But, Lance, I — ” Dorothy hesitated — “I 
don’t want you to go away from home; I don’t 
think it best for you. You ought to wait 
several years anyhow. You are not strong and 
you’d be ill. You don’t believe it, but father 
cares more for you than for the rest of us 
because you are more hke mother. Please 
put things off a while longer in your own mind. 
Truly, father will not consent for the present.” 

[ Lance got up. 

“All right, Dorothy, don’t say anything to 
father on the subject. If you try to do your , 
best for me what you really think will be 
plain enough. I am sorry to have interrupted 
you; I’m off.” 

Nor would Lance remain in spite of the 
pleading of his sister and friends. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


Disconsolately they watched the slender 
figure in the canoe push away from shore. 

Afterwards they made no pretence of 
cheerfulness. Tory would not return to her 
drawing; Dorothy was too depressed even 
to assist in making tea. 
i* An hour later they were on the way back 
to their own camp. 


CHAPTER XIX 


LETTERS 


M r. JEREMY HAMMOND person- 
ally conducted the search. 

The evergreen cabin had been 
erected without foundation save a number of 
cross beams. There was no cellar except one 
a few feet square under the small room that 
served as a kitchen. The logs that upheld 
the old house were singularly free from decay. 

Standing upon one of them, a line of Girl 
Scouts on either side of him, Mr. Hammond 
gazed downward with an air of discouragement. 

am obliged to confess I see no place that 
gives one a right to believe we shall discover 
a secret treasure,” he remarked. am glad 
Kara is unaware of our effort. I was wrong 
in speaking to her on the subject. I suppose 
I am hopelessly romantic and have been 
cherishing the idea of some day discovering 
further information about the httle girl I 
rescued a number of years ago. We shall 
find nothing here.” 

Tory touched him on the arm. 

( 204 ) 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


205 


Please, Mr. Hammond, don’t let us start 
out upon our search in such a hopeless spirit. 
I feel as you say you do about Kara. Ever 
since I met her I have been convinced we 
would learn that she had a delightful back- 
ground of some kind, which would explain 
why she is so brave and charming,” 

Mr. Hammond smiled. 

‘^No, Tory, I cannot go so far as you. I 
have never anticipated so much. Besides, I 
do not consider it necessary. Personality is 
the strongest force in the world, not the 
question of one’s immediate ancestors. I am 
not decrying the ancestors, only if one possesses 
an unusual personality it may come from fur- 
ther back in the stream of hfe and the stream 
was the same for us all in the beginning. 

have merely hoped to come across a 
clue which might give Kara an idea of her 
parentage, or perhaps, a relative who would 
be kind and interested in her.” 

Tory looked disappointed. 

^^Kara has plenty of people who are inter- 
ested in her, and friends may be as satisfac- 
tory as relatives.” In this sentiment Mr. 
Hammond may or may not have agreed. 
Already he had commenced tapping on the 
logs with the end of his cane and digging 


206 


THE GmL SCOUTS 


underneath in any stray spot that he hoped 
might develop into the receptacle of a box or 
treasure of some kind. 

The girls went about upon their own quests. 
Unfortunate that there was no greater amount 
of space, no secret chambers and passages to 
be investigated. This would have lent a 
glamour, a romance that nothing about^the 
little evergreen cabin afforded. 

An hour and the exploration became of 
necessity over. 

Nothing of any interest had been unearthed. 

Disconsolately Mr. Hammond seated him- 
self upon an upturned stool. A few of the 
Girl Scouts clustered about him; the others 
unwilling to give up, were still poking about 
in unlikely places. 

Alone Tory Drew^s original ardor continued 
unquenched. 

All day she had a vision of herself going to 
Kara at the old Gray House with information 
that would bring a new happiness into the 
clear gray eyes grown so wistful in these 
weeks of a summer time they had thought to 
be so happy. 

No one place had been more thoroughly 
searched than the comers of the old brick 
fireplace that divided the living room and the 
kitchen with a single chimney. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


207 


Yet kneeling down once more Tory began 
a last search, poking about into impossible 
crannies. 

Exhausted, she finally surrendered. No 
reward was to be theirs, and they had only 
been wasting valuable energy and time. 

Nevertheless Tory did not feel in the mood 
for discussing this obvious fact with the others. 

Near the old fireplace was a small collection 
of loose bricks. Arranging them into a low 
square Tory seated herself, leaning her head 
against the left corner of the chimney. 

Suddenly she had a sensation of dizziness. 
Her head seemed to be swimming from the 
fatigue perhaps and the disappointment of 
her futile search. 

She straightened, biting her lips and won- 
dering why she was not more physically un- 
comfortable than she felt herseK to be. 

Then hearing a crumbling noise behind her, 
Tory turned her eyes. The bricks against 
which her head had been resting had been 
loosened. She had not been dizzy, the move- 
ment had taken place in them. 

Picking up a stick that lay beside her feet 
she thrust it idly inside a tiny crevice. 

Actually by this time Tory had lost interest 
in what had been an ardent enthusiasm earlier 
in the day. 


208 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


She was excited, however, when a brick, 
displaced from its former position, tumbled to 
the ground, yet for the moment uttered no 
exclamation that might attract attention. 

Thrusting her hand into the opening she 
tugged at another brick The exertion was 
unnecessary. It yielded at once to her touch. 
Two other bricks were as easily removed. 

Tory then discovered a hollow opening 
several feet deep. 

There was nothing visible inside; the space 
appeared dark and empty. 

Then Tory did call out and Mr. Hammond 
and the group of Girl Scouts crowded close 
about her. 

Would you mind thrusting your hand 
inside and seeing if there is anything stored 
away? I don^t think it very nice of me to 
ask you because I am afraid of touching 
something spooky or clammy. Do you mind? ^ ’ 

Apparently Mr. Hammond did not object. 
Unmindful of his coat sleeve, he was thrusting 
the entire length of his arm into the hollow 
recess.’^ 

wonder if this was not a Dutch oven 
that was covered over when it failed to be 
used. In that case I may find a petrified loaf 
of bread or pumpkin pie,’’ Mr. Hammond 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


209 


remarked in a slightly ironical tone, bored by 
this time. 

An instant later his expression altered 
sufficiently for the group of girls watching to 
become conscious of the change. The next he 
drew forth a small package of letters tied 
together with a worn cord. 

Were they of the remotest interest or value? 

No one could say. At least the audience 
was willing to offer them the benefit of an 
investigation. 

Joan Peters went away to her tent, return- 
ing with a candle. 

If there was anything else inside the dark 
enclosure the lighted candle would show it 
forth. 

Except for the letters the recess was empty. 

Mr. Hammond continued to hold the packet 
and stare at it. 

Don’t you think you had best open the 
letters and read what they say?” Tory asked 
restlessly, wishing that Mr. Hammond would 
give her the opportunity. After all, she had 
been the real discoverer, even if her hands 
had not first touched the yellowed papers. 
Perhaps they would contain thrilling informa- 
tion for Kara. She might be an heiress or 
possessed of a more romantic heritage. 

14 ^ 


210 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


Mr. Hammond appeared doubtful. 

don’t know; I don’t feel as if I were at 
liberty to open the letters. I have no authority 
and they can have no association with me. 
Perhaps I had best speak first to Dr. McClain 
and then take them to Kara.” 

“But, Mr. Hammond,” Dorothy McClain 
protested, “why should you conclude that a 
small package of letters discovered in the way 
that we have come across these can have any 
connection with Katherine Moore? The let- 
lers may have been thrust into the old fire- 
place to burn and been forgotten. Surely 
there can be no objection to your looking 
over them first! Then you may be able to 
decide to whom they should be presented. 
After all, the little evergreen cabin belongs to 
our Troop of Girl Scouts. Mr. Fenton bought 
the place and gave it to us. You have our 
permission. Besides, we would like to look 
at the letters with you. I am so excited I 
really cannot endure to wait any longer.” 


CHAPTER XX 


LOOKING FORWARD 

D evoted attention to every line con- 
tained in the little package of letters 
failed to develop information which 
appeared to be of interest to Katherine Moore 
or any one else. 

Carefully each Hne was read by Mr. Ham- 
mond and the Girl Scouts on the afternoon 
of their discovery. Later the letters were 
given to Dr. McClain and to Mr. Hale, Mar- 
garet Hale’s father, who was a prominent 
lawyer, for an equally painstaking perusal. 
They agreed that they were merely a trivial 
collection such as any one might receive from 
a dozen friends, preserved for the sake of the 
affection, not the value of the communications. 
There were no papers save the letters. 

Only one or two seemingly unimportant 
details connected the letters in any possible 
fashion with Katherine Moore. Three of 
them were signed with the initials O. M., 
which may or may not have had any associa- 
tion with the name Moore. In point of fact, 
( 211 ) 


212 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


it would have appeared a straining of the 
imagination, save that the name Moore was 
signed to one short note. 

In any case, it was agreed that, since there 
was no one else to claim them, the little pack- 
age might be consigned to the girl who was 
discovered as a baby in the forsaken cabin. 
No one had been known to be living there at 
the time, so there was no reason to believe 
otherwise than that the baby had been carried 
there and immediately abandoned. 

As Dr. McClain was at present seeing Kara 
daily at the Gray House, the letters were given 
to him for safe delivery. Not until twenty- 
four hours after was Tory Drew permitted to 
call and find what the influence and effect of 
so unsatisfying a communication had been. 

She found Kara in the big room downstairs 
which had been given over to her use since 
her accident whenever she was living at the 
Gray House. 

When Tory entered the room Kara must 
have been re-reading the letters, since they 
lay open upon her lap. 

^^You were not disappointed over our dis- 
covery, dear? The letters do mean something 
to you? You have the faith to beheve that 
something important to you will develop from 
them some day? I believe it if you do.^’ 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


213 


Kara laughed. 

Beloved Tory, if with all your imagination 
and sense of romance you could find nothing 
of value in the old letters why expect it of a 
practical, matter-of-fact, stupid person like I 
am? The letters are ridiculous to my mind so 
far as they are supposed to have any reference 
to me.’^ 

Still the gray eyes were shining and to-day 
Tory beheld the half quizzical fines about the 
lips that belonged to the Kara of other days. 

^^But if you have no faith in the letters, 
why do you seem so much happier and like 
your old self?^^ she queried. 

Her companion hesitated. 

'^Hasn’t Dr. McClain told you?^^ 

‘‘He has told me nothing save that I might 
come to see you if I would not stay too long, 
which is the permission he gives to all our 
Girl Scouts.^^ 

Karats voice was steady with the old-time 
gentle drawl. 

“Promise me then not to expect too much 
or be too disappointed if things do not turn 
out altogether well? Of course I am happier 
to-day, happier than a dozen letters proclaim- 
ing me an heiress could ever make me. 

“Dr. McClain and two other surgeons who 


214 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


have seen me believe there is a possibility I 
may be well. They are not absolutely sure. 
DonT look so queer, Tory.’’ 

“I don’t look queer, go on,” the other girl 
whispered, bending her face down so that her 
lips touched Kara’s hair and her face could 
not be seen. 

There isn’t anything else to tell, except 
that I am to go to New York City to be 
treated and to spend the winter and that Mr. 
Fenton and Mr. Hammond and Dr. McClain 
and several other people have made the 
arrangements and will pay all my expenses.” 

Here for the first time Kara’s voice trembled. 

“Who says one cannot have beautiful 
things happen to one even if lost letters do 
prove disappointing?” 

She put out her hand and caught hold of 
her companion’s. 

“Tory, you don’t think I have failed to 
appreciate your loveliness to me this summer. 
All the time when I have appeared most 
ungrateful I have cared most. I won’t talk 
about it now, only as you are an artist you 
understand better than I how one may see 
things in a wrong perspective. My view is 
clearer now whatever happens.” 

Tory kneeled down: 

“I wish I might be Ruth to your Naomi.” 


CHAPTER XXI 


KARATS DEPARTURE 

B elieving that it would do his patient 
no possible injury, Dr. McClain agreed 
that Kara should see as many of her 
friends as she desired upon the last few days 
before departing for New York City. 

Every spare hour Kara and Tory were to- 
gether. The last few days Miss Victoria 
Fenton had asked Kara to stay with them at 
their home in the village. Farewell could 
be more easily said from there than at the 
Gray House on the edge of the town. There 
would be less difficulty in finally getting away. 

Dr. McClain was to accompany Kara to 
New York in order to see the New York 
physicians. Mr. Jeremy Hammond had 
offered to motor them down, as he owned a 
handsome car and Kara would be spared 
having to be lifted in and out of the train. 

Karats farewell Scout meeting was by her 
own request a quiet one. No one would be 
present save the Scout Captain and her own 
Patrol. There was only one other person 

( 215 ) 


216 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


who would come for half an hour to say good- 
by, Memory Frean. 

Fortunately the Fenton house had a bed- 
room on the first floor, so that Kara could be 
comfortable without the problem of the stairs. 

One admirer Kara had acquired without 
realizing the fact. She was to make the dis- 
covery on the afternoon that she and Miss 
Victoria Fenton sat talking, waiting for Tory 
to announce that preparations were ready for 
tea. 

From the beginning of Tory’s first acquaint- 
ance with Katharine Moore, Miss Fenton had 
been quietly watching the other girl. She 
had liked Kara’s fashion of never referring 
to the difference between her own life and 
that of her more fortunate friends. When it 
was natural to mention the orphan asylum, 
where she made her home, always she spoke 
of the place with affection, never criticism or 
resentment. 

Knowing nothing of her parentage. Miss 
Victoria concluded for reasons of her own that 
Kara had come of well-bred people. And she 
meant more than ordinary breeding. She 
was under the impression that Kara revealed 
rare tact and sweetness in a difficult situation. 
Now and then she considered that her attitude 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 217 

bore a quality of high courage. But not until 
after Karats accident was Miss Fenton con- 
vinced that courage was the characteristic 
that lay behind her other attributes. 

In the twenty-four hours the young girl 
had been her guest with the prospect of such 
a test of patience and fortitude before her, 
Miss Victoria had surrendered completely. 

Silently Tory Drew had been aware of Miss 
Victoria’s state of mind. She had observed a 
new tenderness in the older woman’s manner 
and voice whenever she spoke or looked at 
her guest that she never had seen her display. 

This afternoon on the day before Kara’s 
departure, when Miss Victoria entered Kara’s 
bedroom, with a hurried excuse Tory with- 
drew. 

Kara, who was lying on a couch in a dark 
corner of the square old room, struggled to sit 
up as the older woman entered. 

With hands that were large and kind the 
older woman pushed her gently back upon 
the pile of soft cushions. 

Then, untying a parcel and flushing as 
if she were embarrassed. Miss Victoria laid 
a dressing gown over the reclining figure. 

The gown was a beautiful one, with noth- 
ing of the plainness or severity one might have 


218 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


imagined Miss Victoria would choose. It 
was of blue silk, the shade known as old blue, 
indescribably deep and soft in tone. The 
Kning was of pale gray. A little hood hung 
at the back and a cord was knotted about the 
waist. 

Kara might wear it for a number of occa- 
sions. She could receive guests in it, as it 
would doubtless be difficult for her at all times 
to be formally dressed. 

Kara’s voice shook a httle as she touched 
the silk with one hand and caught Miss Vic- 
toria’s hand with the other. 

Everybody is being too good to me. I 
wonder if it is going to make it harder or easier 
for me this winter. I shall miss my friends 
the more and at the same time want to show 
them how deeply I appreciate what is being 
done. May I write to you now and then, 
Miss Victoria?” 

Miss Fenton showed and expressed pleasure, 
although she had written her niece only a 
single letter in more than a month’s absence 
from the village. 

have something else for you, Kara, 
something I want you to prize, not because 
of its great value but because it means a great 
deal to me. 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


219 


was given me by the bravest person I 
have known. I will not tell you about him 
now. Perhaps I will some day. If ever hfe 
seems to be too difl5.cult for you, my dear, 
you must tell me and then perhaps my story 
may help you find new courage. Please don’t 
speak of this to any one except to say I wished 
to give you the little pin as a parting gift.” 

As Tory softly turned the handle of the door 
to come back into the room and announce 
the Girl Scouts, she observed Miss Fenton 
stoop and pin at Kara’s throat a small pin. 
As she came nearer she saw that it was a 
beautiful sapphire set in an old-fashioned 
band of gold. In truth, the pin was hand- 
somer than either girl appreciated. 

A moment later, before Kara could thank 
her properly, the older woman hurried away, 
insisting she had a household duty to look 
after. 

The Girl Scouts had been warned. 

Kara’s farewell to her Patrol must be as 
casual and matter-of-fact as possible. There 
must be no heroics at parting; she would leave 
in the early morning and must reserve all her 
strength. 

At shortly after five o’clock the girls and 
the Troop Captain had departed and Kara was 


220 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


again lying down alone until the evening 
meal. 

Afterwards Dr. McClain and Dorothy were 
to come in for a few moments. 

Kara and Tory, Miss Victoria and Mr. 
Richard Fenton were in the drawing-room 
when they entered. Unexpectedly Lance 
accompanied them. 

^^We did not intend allowing Lance to 
appear, Kara,’^ Dorothy apologized, ^^but 
he insisted he had something of special im- 
portance to say to you and never had been 
allowed the opportunity, you have been so 
surrounded.” 

Not long after, stating that he was satisfied 
with her condition. Dr. McClain departed 
to call upon another patient. A few minutes 
later Miss Victoria and Mr. Fenton left the 
drawing-room to the younger guests. 

Kara was in her wheeled chair. Lance was 
standing near her. Dorothy was seated on a 
stool nearby, while Tory remained on the rug 
with her back to the fire, facing the others. 

Dorothy smiled. 

'^Do you remember, Kara? Tory is wear- 
ing a green dress tonight as upon the occasion 
of our first visit to this drawing-room to ask 
her to become a Girl Scout. Dear me. what 
is that commotion?” 


IN BEECHWOOD EOREST 


221 


The two girls ran over toward the window. 
Lance had the thoughtfulness to wheel Karats 
chair so that she might equally gratify her 
curiosity. 

Tory had drawn up the curtain and the 
four of them could see a small group of figures 
standing in the street beneath the drawing- 
room window. 

There was a light coating of snow on the 
sidewalk. 

What in the world is the matter? ’’ Doro- 
thy asked anxiously. “IsnT Don one of the 
boys down there? I wonder what they in- 
tend? 

Lance made an odd grimace. 

Intend? Good gracious! I always felt 
Don had no sense of humor, but this is worse 
than I feared. 

'^DonT you girls appreciate the fact this 
is to be a farewell serenade for Kara? Yet 
Don has read ' Seventeen M They are half 
a dozen of the Boy Scout Band.^^ 

^'It is very kind of them, I am sure; no 
reason for you to be so superior, Lance,’' Tory 
answered. 

Outside the musicians were beginning the 
strains of '^Auld Lang Syne” and the little 
crowd inside the room were silent, Tory 
thrusting the girl for whom the honor was 




THE GIRL SCOUTS 


intended into the most conspicuous position 
and a moment later wrapping a blue scarf 
about her thin shoulders. 

With their heads close together they listened 
and watched. 

^^What are we to do when they have finish- 
ed, Tory, to show our appreciation?” Kara 
whispered. “I am afraid Dr. McClain would 
not be willing to have me see them. Shall I 
go to my room while you receive them?” 

^^No,” Tory shook her head, glancing about 
the room. On a center table was a bowl of 
red roses, the fiowers Mr. Fenton cared for 
most, that he had brought as a farewell offering 
to Kara. 

w Tory gathered half a dozen in her hands. 

' Throw these out and wave good-night,” 
she murmured. 

Kara was not able to reach so far and seemed 
shy at making the attempt, so that the other 
girl threw the roses and saw them fall, crimson 
spots of color on the white snow 

Don picked one up and waved it, lifting his 
hat. The other boys followed his example. 

“Good-night, good-by, Kara,” they called. 

Donald’s last glance and good-by was for 
Tory Drew. 

As they closed the window and reluctantly 


IN BEECHWOOD FOREST 


turned away, Dorothy McClain wore an un- 
usual expression. She was frowning and 
biting her lips, her color warmer than usual. 

^'Do you know, Tory, I believe Don is 
growing to be as fond of you as of me.’’ 

She sKpped her arm through Lance’s and 
held it close. 

Lance gave her a reassuring glance. 

Tory laughed. 

Never in a thousand years! But if Lance 
really wants to speak to Kara, perhaps he 
would rather we give him the opportunity 
alone. 

Suppose you come over here and sit on 
the sofa beside me. You must be specially 
good to me when Kara is away.” 

Seldom was Lance awkward in manner or 
apparently at a loss for words. Now he ap- 
peared embarrassed and silent. 

^^No, please don’t go away, Tory, you and 
Dot, not if you can bear remaining. And 
you must, to brace up Kara. The truth is I 
had nothing special to say to her, but the 
other afternoon I composed a little piece of 
music in her honor as a farewell. I am wiser 
tonight and she shall not be afflicted with it.” 

Again Lance’s brown eyes were slightly 
sarcastic, slightly challengmg. 


224 


THE GIRL SCOUTS 


“How can you care for my poor efforts 
after the serenade?’’ 

Tory made no answer save to attempt to 
lift the cover from the piano, so that Lance 
was compelled to come to her assistance. 

“Sit down, Lance,” she ordered quietly, 
attempting to place the stool in position. 
“I am glad to say the old piano was tuned 
only a few days ago, although no one here 
uses it. You know you want to play what 
you have written for Kara, so why pretend 
otherwise?” 

Tory’s manner left no chance for argument, 
so Lance, with a whimsical smile of agreement, 
meekly obeyed. 

He sat under a hght from a reading lamp, 
the two girls standing beside Kara’s chair. 

“My musical composition has the advan- 
tage of not being long and is merely an at- 
tempt to express our sorrow over Kara’s de- 
parture, our faith in her good courage and 
our splendid hope for her return. Yes, and 
perhaps a little of my envy that she goes to 
the city of my dreams. Perhaps after all I 
shall meet her there.” 

Lance’s words trailed away into silence as 
his slender fingers touched the keys in a simple 
melody of farewell. 




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